title: The Mediating Role of Meaning in the Association between Stress and Health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stress is a common feature of life and has routinely been linked with negative health outcomes. However, meaning has been identified as a possible buffer against stress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the current study was to examine whether the relationship between stress and health was mediated by meaning in life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Drawing from Wave 1 of the Landmark Spirituality and Health Study, a nationally representative sample of adults, participants (N = 1871) reported their level of stress in the past 12 months, current meaning in life, health (measured as minor symptoms, major conditions, and overall health), and provided a blood sample for biomarker of immune system functioning (i.e., presence of Epstein-Barr virus antibodies).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed an indirect effects model in which stress was inversely associated with meaning. Higher meaning was related to better self-reported health (across minor, major, and overall health measures), which, in turn, was associated with better immune system functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that part of the negative effect of stress on health is accounted for by reduced meaning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hope College, Science Center, 35 E. 12th Street, Holland, MI, 49422-9000, USA. vantongeren@hope.edu.
authors.forename: Daryl R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Van Tongeren
authors.affiliation: Biola University, La Mirada, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Gail H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Ironson
authors.affiliation: Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Pargament
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: Health; Immune functioning; Meaning in life; Stress