Spontaneous self-affirmation predicts more meaning and less boredom

Muireann K. O’Dea, Eric R. Igou, Wijnand A.P. van Tilburg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Chronic boredom is associated with many negative psychological outcomes, including undermining perceived meaning in life. Meanwhile, emerging research suggests that spontaneous self-affirmation, that is, an inclination to self-affirm, is linked to greater well-being and buffers against psychological threats. We investigated the relationship between spontaneous self-affirmation, perceptions of meaning in life, and boredom proneness with four correlational studies. Study 1a (N = 166) demonstrated that people inclined to self-affirm experience greater perceptions of meaning in life. Study 1b (N = 170) confirmed that spontaneous self-affirmation is associated with lower levels of boredom proneness. Study 2a (N = 214) and Study 2b (N = 105) provided evidence for our central hypothesis, showing that spontaneous self-affirmation predicts lower levels of boredom proneness via greater perceptions of meaning in life. These findings confirm that elevating meaning in life through psychological resources, like spontaneous self-affirmation, may limit boredom. Our work extends the emerging well-being benefits of spontaneous self-affirmation, by demonstrating associations with higher meaning in life and lower boredom proneness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)237-247
Number of pages11
JournalMotivation and Emotion
Volume48
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024

Keywords

  • Boredom
  • Meaning in life
  • Self-affirmation
  • Well-being

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