The DOI matches its Crossref record; 26 of the 27 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life
Open accessAbstract
Being happy and finding life meaningful overlap, but there are important differences. A large survey revealed multiple differing predictors of happiness (controlling for meaning) and meaningfulness (controlling for happiness). Satisfying one’s needs and wants increased happiness but was largely irrelevant to meaningfulness. Happiness was largely present-oriented, whereas meaningfulness involves integrating past, present, and future. For example, thinking about future and past was associated with high meaningfulness but low happiness. Happiness was linked to being a taker rather than a giver, whereas meaningfulness went with being a giver rather than a taker. Higher levels of worry, stress, and anxiety were linked to higher meaningfulness but lower happiness. Concerns with personal identity and expressing the self-contributed to meaning but not happiness. We offer brief composite sketches of the unhappy but meaningful life and of the happy but meaningless life.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“The more people devote time to thinking about the past and future, the more meaning they attribute to their life in general (Baumeister, Vohs, Aaker, & Garbinsky, 2013).”
From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Baumeister, Vohs, Aaker, & Garbinsky, 2013
Citations
Cites
Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/1089-2680.5.4.323 · Cited by 7,678
Self-citationA Survey Method for Characterizing Daily Life Experience: The Day Reconstruction Method
Kahneman, D., Krueger, A. B., Schkade, D. A., Schwarz, N., & Stone, A. A. (2004) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1103572 · Cited by 3,422
Know thyself and become what you are: a eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2008) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-006-9019-0 · Cited by 3,149
Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: an introduction
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-006-9018-1 · Cited by 2,187
What do people think they're doing? Action identification and human behavior.
Vallacher, R. R., & Wegner, D. M. (1987) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.94.1.3 · Cited by 1,802
Huta, V., & Ryan, R. M. (2010) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-009-9171-4 · Cited by 1,291
Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta‐Analytic Review
Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K., & Foster, C. A. (2003) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00574.x · Cited by 934
Personal projects, happiness, and meaning: On doing well and being yourself.
McGregor, I., & Little, B. R. (1998) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.2.494 · Cited by 890
Point-Counterpoints: Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Baumeister, R. F., & Tice, D. M. (1990) · Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1521/jscp.1990.9.2.165 · Cited by 743
Self-citationWaterman, A. S., Schwartz, S. J., & Conti, R. (2006) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-006-9020-7 · Cited by 733
Research works printed but not linked: 5
- Baumeister R. F., 1991, Meanings of life
- Cacioppo J. T., 2008, Loneliness
- Lyubomirsky S., 2008, The how of happiness
- Myers D. G., 1992, The pursuit of happiness
- Vallacher R. R., 1985, A theory of action identification
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 901–1,000 of 1,001
Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.002.0004
Self-citationWhat Should a Scientific Theory of Free Will Look Like?
Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0002
Self-citationBaumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0012
Self-citationHow Conscious Thoughts Cause Behavior
Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0010
Self-citationDesire to Have or Use Free Will?
Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0019
Self-citationOwning Your Actions as an Individual
Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0017
Self-citationWhether People Believe in Free Will or Not
Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0015
Self-citationBaumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0004
Self-citationBaumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0008
Self-citationBaumeister, R. F. (2024) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197693520.003.0001
Self-citationAaker, J. L. (2024) · Marketing Letters · doi:10.1007/s11002-024-09742-6
“A personally seminal paper (for me) was one that explored how happiness was different from meaning in life (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
Self-citationZacher, H. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-77221-4_2
Measuring and Analyzing the Good Working Life
Zacher, H. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-77221-4_3
Zacher, H. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-77221-4_1
Vittersø, J. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-69292-5_5
Norris, T. W. (2025) · Sustainable development · doi:10.5772/intechopen.1009323
Tran-Huu, S. F. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-46965-8_2
Kaunaite, V., & Harris, M. (2025) · International Journal of Dental Hygiene · doi:10.1111/idh.12873
Komase, Y., Kito, K., Tsuzuki, H., & Yorozuya, K. (2025) · Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1111/psyg.70036
“12 It has also been reported that memories of performing a job, childcare, or other activities well may be recalled as positive events when looking back on them as older people.”
Die soziale Dimension des Lebenssinns
Schnell, T. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-70097-6_8
(2025) · The MIT Press eBooks · doi:10.7551/mitpress/15690.003.0020
Purpose and happiness: a comparison
McKnight, P. E., Kashdan, T., Mackay, A., Kelso, K. C., & Gross, M. (2025) · Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2025.2515942
“Before determining whether there are key differences between at least two psychological states or traits (e.g. Baumeister et al., 2013; Sheldon et al., 2015), it is essential to evaluate whether there are meaningful psychometric differences – because if one of the two is more reliable and stable,…”
Jurewicz, Z. B., Goode, M., & Kristofferson, K. (2025) · Journal of the Association for Consumer Research · doi:10.1086/737205
أرنوط, ب. إ. أ. (2025) · مجلة الإرشاد النفسی · doi:10.21608/cpc.2025.433652
Aria, R. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5353165
Life attunement experience: well-being and morality from the truth of a life
Cornwell, J. F. M., Franks, B., Nakkawita, E., & Higgins, E. T. (2025) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-025-10148-8
“First, we asked a series of six questions to measure the extent to which each individual experienced his or her life as “happy” or “meaningful” (Baumeister et al., 2016).”
Yangtong, N., Li, G., Li, Y., Li, X., Cai, W., Shiyu, T., Xue, Z., & guane, Y. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-7164933/v1
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.002.0007
Cameron, B. K. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.002.0006
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.003.0003
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.003.0002
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.002.0008
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.003.0004
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.003.0005
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.003.0001
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.002.0005
The occupational meaning in life questionnaire: development, reliability, and validity
Cai, J.-Y., Wang, X., & Pan, S.-Y. (2025) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-08266-0
“Research indicates that this scale has good reliability and validity (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
Church, M. H., Arthur, K. M., Dickey, K., & Rivera, G. N. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5396613
Kraft, C., Bühren, C., & Wicker, P. V. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1604029
Kaminskiene, Z., Baršytė, J., Dewitte, S., & Uzdavinyte, E. M. (2025) · European Journal of Marketing · doi:10.1108/ejm-10-2023-0808 · Cited by 1
Constructs and Metrics of Consumer Happiness
Lee, D., & Sirgy, M. J. (2025) · Social indicators research series · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-04443-3_5
Jettinghoff, W., Folk, D. P., Radjaee, P., Willard, A. K., Norenzayan, A., & Heine, S. J. (2025) · Religion Brain & Behavior · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2025.2546324 · Cited by 1
“Meaning in life is more associated with one’s struggles (Baumeister et al., 2013), it is bolstered when one takes on a caretaker role such as parenting (Shim et al., 2013), and it is associated with feelings of nostalgia (Routledge et al., 2011).”
Huta, V., & Pearce, K. (2025) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-025-10177-3 · Cited by 1
Sun, J., & Berman, J. Z. (2025) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/01461672251367068
“These findings also speak to the ongoing debate about whether happiness and meaning are differentially associated with morality (Baumeister et al., 2013; Choi et al., 2017; Dwyer et al., 2017; Hofmann et al., 2014).”
When the air feels heavy: How visceral stuffiness shifts well-being priorities
Kim, S. (2025) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105953
Study as calling: development and initial validation of the meaning in study inventory
Park, C. J., Zackery, S., Sawhney, A., Solis, C., Ybarra, N., & Rottinghaus, P. J. (2025) · British Journal of Guidance and Counselling · doi:10.1080/03069885.2025.2585679
Dehumanization as a Bridge Between Relationship Modes and Meaning in Life
Wang, J., & Zhang, H. (2025) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/01461672251396592
“Moreover, affect and meaning in life are themselves closely related (e.g., Baumeister et al., 2013; King et al., 2006).”
Additional file 1 of Demographic Predictors of Complete Well-Being
Lee, M. T., McNeely, E., Weziak-Bialowolska, D., Ryan, K. A., Mooney, K. D., Cowden, R. G., & VanderWeele, T. J. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.21019173
Liu, D., He, B., Feng, R., Huang, X., & Liu, G. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26694147
Additional file 1 of Disease-preventive behaviors and subjective well-being in the COVID-19 pandemic
Tokson, M., Rahrig, H., & Green, J. D. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26619649
Hanson, R. (2016) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198754626.002.0001
Hanson, R. (2016) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198754626.002.0002
(2025) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-83708-096-020251021
Brenner, L. A. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.002.0006
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.002.0008
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0003
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.002.0005
The Primacy of the Foundational Principles
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0010
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0005
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0008
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0004
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0007
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0002
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0009
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0001
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.002.0007
Dunn, D. S. (2025) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197785188.003.0006
Impact of AI and ML in Healthcare, Education, and Mental Health
Srivastava, S., Taneja, S., Dhara, C., & Raheja, S. (2026) · Advanced technologies and societal change · doi:10.1007/978-981-95-0800-6_5
Chang, B., Li, K., Sheng, H., & Fang, J. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-08851-3
“Previ - ous studies have primarily focused on the role of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in promoting creative behavior (Baumeister et al., 2013; Lee et al., 2017).”
ARISOY, A., & Taş, M. A. (2020) · DergiPark (Istanbul University)
Sexual Flourishing: An Expanded Vision of Sexual Quality
Leonhardt, N. D., Busby, D. M., Carroll, J. S., Leavitt, C. E., & Impett, E. A. (2026) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/jomf.70068
Spirituality, Meaning, and Well-Being: A Role in the University Classroom
Thurston, M. (2026) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel17020261 · Cited by 1
“A study of Baumeister’s research on the differences between happiness and meaning (Baumeister et al. 2016).”
(Shunning) Screens at Sunrise: The Effects of Morning Smartphone Use on HappinessPreprint
Hallmayer, D., Serocki, C., Loos, S., Max, J., Soliman, M., & Loschelder, D. D. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6308720
Happiness and Purpose in Life: Overlapping Self-Regulatory Traits in a Two-Year Longitudinal StudyPreprint
Kashdan, T. B., McKnight, P. E., Gross, M. E., & Schooler, J. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6442491
Is Parenthood Contributing to Emotional Wellbeing? The Neutrality Paradox and a Possible Resolution
Apostolou, M., Sullman, M. J. M., Błachnio, A., Burýšek, O., Bushina, E., Calvo, F., Costello, W., Hill, T., Karageorgiou, M. G., Lisun, Y., et al. (2026) · Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1177/14747049261436325
“Although these two components are correlated, they need not respond identically to the same life circumstances (Baumeister et al., 2013), and, as we argue below, evolutionary considerations generate distinct predictions for each.”
Qiu, F., Yao, H., & Zhang, L. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-026-09319-8
“This integrative capacity facilitates transcending immediate concerns and fosters sustained attention toward long-term goals and future-oriented coping strategies (Baumeister et al., 2013; Leontiev, 2013).”
Happiness, higher wants, and policy evaluation
Berggren, N. (2026) · Politics Philosophy & Economics · doi:10.1177/1470594x261437028
Hefti, M. (2024) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/c103b009zd80bz4255zbdf9zeec1fd1782cd
Saha, S., Singh, M. K., & Obhrai, S. (2026) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/979-8-3373-4187-3.ch009
Hochwälder, J. (2026) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.1177/00332941261450516
Cumulative benefits of nature: Childhood nature experiences and daily well-being in young adults
Liu, Q., Wang, S., Niu, X., Li, C., Guo, T., Chen, X., & Kong, F. (2026) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103076
Contemporary Understandings of Happiness: Concepts, Timescales, and Cultures
Michelson, A. (2026) · Happiness studies book series · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-25390-3_4
Michelson, A. (2026) · Happiness studies book series · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-25390-3_6
Freezing Under Fire: Status-Quo Bias, Effortful Coping, and Well-Being During a Prolonged War
Barokas, G., Ling, H. H., Sherman, A., & Shavit, T. (2026) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-026-10614-6
“…the different components of subjective well-being (SWB) are moderately correlated, theoreti - cal and empirical work suggests that they represent distinct constructs with different antecedents and consequences (Diener et al., 1999 ; Baumeister et al., 2013 ; Deci & Ryan, 2008 ; Schimmack, 2008 ).”
Li, B., Wu, Y., Zhang, S., Jin, L., & Qin, Z. H. U. (2026) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-026-01055-x
Madjdi, F., & Zolfaghari, B. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6876419
Nostalgia Increases Psychological Richness in Life
Mask, M. B., Gomez, S., Bhandari, Y., & Heine, S. J. (2026) · Social Psychological and Personality Science · doi:10.1177/19485506261454720
“Happiness is an important component of the good life (Diener, 2000) and is related to material prosperity (Baumeister et al., 2013; Oishi & Diener, 2013), health, a comfortable and easy-going life, and a lack of stressors (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
Cai, X., Liu, X., & He, X. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1864400
Who We Are as Parents: Parental Identity and Well-Being Across Cultures
Pinho, M., Varsori, E., & Gaunt, R. A. (2026) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x261465808
Beyond additive models: well-being as a dynamic cost–recovery system
Hill, T. G. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-026-09716-z
“The Dynamic Cost– Recovery Model generalises this logic beyond occupational contexts, proposing that many experiences associated with meaning, purpose, or personal growth carry similar cost profiles across life domains (Baumeister et al., 2013 ; King & Hicks, 2021).”
Wei, Q., Li, J., Huang, H., Li, Z., & Luo, Y. (2026) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-026-01076-6
“As Baumeister et al. (2013) argued, a life that is pleasurable but lacks meaning may be shallow and empty, whereas a meaningful life devoid of pleasure may be burdened with worry and anxiety.”
Valuing eudaimonic wellbeing: A missing piece of the transport appraisal jigsaw
Stanley, J. K., Hensher, D. A., Vella-Brodrick, D. A., & Stanley, J. (2026) · Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives · doi:10.1016/j.trip.2026.102145
10 years after college: who lives a psychologically rich life?
Ng, M., Shin, M., Lee, H., & Suh, E. M. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-026-09838-4
Neumann, M., Strauch, A., Boecker, L., Diel, K., Escher, Y. A., Muniak, P., Oomen, D., Petrowsky, H. M., Schwarz, L., Weber, M., et al. (2026) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.70115
“Here, we focus on life satisfaction as a cognitive evaluation of overall personal well-being at a specific point in time (Baumeister et al., 2013; Diener et al., 1985).”
Purpose-Affirmation: A Novel Intervention for Cultivating Adolescents’ Purpose in Life
Yan, W., Jiang, L., Wang, Y., Chen, Y., Wu, Y., & Kizilcec, R. F. (2026) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-026-01081-9
“Grounded in Damon et al.’s (2003) work, the CPS distinguishes purpose from meaning in life—the extent to which individuals experience their lives as coherent, significant, and oriented toward valued aims (Baumeister et al., 2013; Martela & Steger, 2016).”
Meaning in the age of AI: Experiencing less, needing more
Mead, N. L., Heynicke, M., Williams, L. E., & Heitmann, M. (2026) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2026.102395
Shirmohammadzadeh, A., Khodarahimi, S., Beit-Mashal, B., Bougar, M. R., Mehrabadi, H., Farrokhi, H., & Heasm, M. (2026) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2026.2733888
Metadata
- Authors
- Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., Aaker, J. L., & Garbinsky, E. N.
- Affiliations
- Florida State University (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Stanford University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Baumeister, Roy F.
- Venue
- The Journal of Positive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-11
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 505-516
- ISSN
- 1743-9760 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9779
- OpenAlex
- W1519128814
- Cited by
- 1,006
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 42 · 2025: 98 · 2024: 98 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 124 · 2019: 81 · 2018: 66 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 96 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 13
- FWCI
- 86.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Journal of Positive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Keywords
- happiness, meaningfulness, subjective well-being, predictors of happiness, need satisfaction, present orientation, stress, personal identity, self-expression
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
