Central European Business Review 2024, 13(1):67-83 | DOI: 10.18267/j.cebr.358

Meaning-Centered Workplace Interventions

Pavlína Honsová ORCID...1
1 Department of Managerial Psychology and Sociology, Prague University of Economics and Business, Faculty of Business Administration, Prague, Czech Republic, pavlina.honsova@vse.cz (corresponding author)

A total of 2,532 records were extracted from three databases, leading to the identification of fifteen studies for closer analysis. The overview comprehensively evaluated participants, types of intervention, activities, relevant measures and outcomes. Based on the findings, meaning-centred interventions are utilized in various workplaces, including healthcare, white-collar companies and universities. Despite insufficient quality and randomization in the studies, preventing definitive conclusions, meaning-centred interventions exhibit promising results in addressing well-being, perceived meaningfulness and other facets of living. In the future, special emphasis should be placed on factors contributing to intervention success, such as intervention frequency, type of activities and a solid framework. Additionally, randomized control trials are necessary to support these preliminary findings.
Implications for Central European audience: Meaning-centred interventions show promise for improving job satisfaction and a sense of purpose at work in Central Europe, suggesting a need for well-designed studies to confirm their benefits.

Keywords: systematic literature review; meaning; meaningfulness; work; intervention
JEL classification: M5

Received: November 11, 2023; Revised: January 2, 2024; Accepted: January 7, 2024; Prepublished online: February 19, 2024; Published: March 29, 2024  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Honsová, P. (2024). Meaning-Centered Workplace Interventions. Central European Business Review13(1), 67-83. doi: 10.18267/j.cebr.358
Download citation

References

  1. Allan, B. A., Duffy, R. D., & Collisson, B. (2018). Helping others increases meaningful work: Evidence from three experiments. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 65(2), 155-165. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000228. Go to original source...
  2. Ariely, D., Kamenica, E., & Prelec, D. (2008). Man's search for meaning: The case of Legos. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 67(3-4), 671-677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2008.01.004. Go to original source...
  3. Arnoux-Nicolas, C., Sovet, L., Lhotellier, L., Baatouche, N., Bernaud, J. L., Lepez, S., & Faye, B. D. L. (2018). Meaning-centered career intervention for college students. In New Perspectives on Career Counseling and Guidance in Europe (pp. 133-146). Springer, Cham. Go to original source...
  4. Bailey, C., & Madden, A. (2016). What makes work meaningful-or meaningless. MIT Sloan management review.
  5. Breitbart, W., Rosenfeld, B., Pessin, H., Applebaum, A., Kulikowski, J., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2015). Meaning-centered group psychotherapy: an effective intervention for improving psychological well-being in patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33(7), 749- 754. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2014.57.2198. Go to original source...
  6. Britt, T. W., Adler, A. B., & Bartone, P. T. (2001). Deriving benefits from stressful events: the role of engagement in meaningful work and hardiness. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 6(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.6.1.53. Go to original source...
  7. Chan, W. C. H., Tin, A. F., & Wong, K. L. Y. (2017). Effectiveness of an experiential workshop for enhancing helping professionals' self-competence in death work in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial. Health & Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 1070-1079. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12407. Go to original source...
  8. Cheng, M., Hasche, L., Huang, H., & Su, X. S. (2015). The effectiveness of a meaning-centered psychoeducational group intervention for Chinese college students. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 43(5), 741-756. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2015.43.5.741. Go to original source...
  9. Crumbaugh J.C. & Maholick L.T. (1969). Manual of instructions for the purpose in life test. Psychometric Affiliates, Munster Go to original source...
  10. Dik, B. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2009). Calling and vocation at work: Definitions and prospects for research and practice. The Counseling Psychologist, 37(3), 424-450. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000008316430. Go to original source...
  11. Dik, B. J., Eldridge, B. M., Steger, M. F., & Duffy, R. D. (2012). Development and validation of the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ) and Brief Calling Scale (BCS). Journal of Career Assessment 20(3), 242-263. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1069072711434410. Go to original source...
  12. Duffy, R. D., Dik, B. J., & Steger, M. S. (2011). Calling and work related outcomes: Career commitment as a mediator. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 78(2), 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2010.09.013. Go to original source...
  13. Fahlman, S. A., Mercer, K. B., Gaskovski, P., Eastwood, A. E., & Eastwood, J. D. (2009). Does a Lack of Life Meaning Cause Boredom? Results from Psychometric, Longitudinal, and Experimental Analyses. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28(3), 307-340. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2009.28.3.307. Go to original source...
  14. Farran, P. (2018). Cultivating work meaningfulness with appreciative inquiry. Benedictine University.
  15. Fillion, L., Duval, S., Dumont, S., Gagnon, P., Tremblay, I., Bairati, I., & Breitbart, W. S. (2009). Impact of a meaning-centered intervention on job satisfaction and on quality of life among palliative care nurses. Psycho-Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 18(12), 1300-1310. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1513. Go to original source...
  16. Fletcher, L., & Schofield, K. (2019). Facilitating meaningfulness in the workplace: a field intervention study. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(14), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2019.1624590. Go to original source...
  17. Frankl, V. (1959). Man's search for meaning. NY: Simon & Schuster.
  18. Frankl, V. E. (2014). The will to meaning: Foundations and applications of logotherapy. Penguin.
  19. Frankl, V. E. (1986). The doctor and the soul: From psychotherapy to logotherapy. Vintage.
  20. Frémeaux, S., & Pavageau, B. (2022). Meaningful leadership: how can leaders contribute to meaningful work? Journal of Management Inquiry, 31(1), 54-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492619897126. Go to original source...
  21. Frieder, R. E., Wang, G., & Oh, I. S. (2018). Linking job-relevant personality traits, transformational leadership, and job performance via perceived meaningfulness at work: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(3), 324-333. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000274. Go to original source...
  22. Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of the job diagnostic survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60(2), 159- 170. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0076546. Go to original source...
  23. Hu, J., & Hirsh, J. B. (2017). Accepting lower salaries for meaningful work. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1649. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01649. Go to original source...
  24. Huta, V., & Waterman, A. S. (2014). Eudaimonia and its distinction from hedonia: Developing a classification and terminology for understanding conceptual and operational definitions. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(6), 1425-1456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9485-0. Go to original source...
  25. Janicke, S. H., Rieger, D., Reinecke, L., & Connor, W. (2018). Watching online videos at work: The role of positive and meaningful affect for recovery experiences and well-being at the workplace. Mass Communication and Society, 21(3), 345-367. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2017.1381264. Go to original source...
  26. Janicke-Bowles, S. H., Rieger, D., & Connor, W. (2019). Finding meaning at work: The role of inspiring and funny YouTube videos on work-related well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(2), 619-640. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9959-1. Go to original source...
  27. Kim, H., Doiron, K., Warren, M., & Donaldson, S. (2018). The international landscape of positive psychology research: A systematic review. International Journal of Wellbeing, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v8i1.651 Go to original source...
  28. Kreiner, G. E., Ashforth, B. E., & Sluss, D. M. (2006). Identity dynamics in occupational dirty work: Integrating social identity and system justification perspectives. Organization Science, 17(5), 619-636. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1060.0208. Go to original source...
  29. Lee, V., Cohen, S. R., Edgar, L., Laizner, A. M., & Gagnon, A. J. (2006). Meaning-making intervention during breast or colorectal cancer treatment improves self-esteem, optimism, and self-efficacy. Social Science & Medicine, 62(12), 3133-3145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.11.041. Go to original source...
  30. Leontiev, D. A. (2005). Three facets of meaning. Journal of Russian & East European Psychology, 43(6), 45-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/10610405.2005.11059270. Go to original source...
  31. Lips-Wiersma, M., & Morris, L. (2009). Discriminating between 'meaningful work' and the 'management of meaning'. Journal of Business Ethics, 88(3), 491-511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0118-9. Go to original source...
  32. Lips-Wiersma, M., & Morris, L. (2018). The Map of Meaningful Work: Taking personal responsibility for meaningful work. Routledge. Go to original source...
  33. Lips-Wiersma, M., & Wright, S. (2012). Measuring the meaning of meaningful work: Development and validation of the Comprehensive Meaningful Work Scale (CMWS). Group & Organization Management, 37(5), 655-685. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601112461578. Go to original source...
  34. Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111. Go to original source...
  35. Makola, S. (2015). The Effectiveness of a Meaning-Centred Intervention in Protecting the Well-Being HIV/AIDS Health Educators. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 28(1), 37-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-014-9321-4. Go to original source...
  36. Moreira-Silva, I., Teixeira, P. M., Santos, R., Abreu, S., Moreira, C., & Mota, J. (2016). The effects of workplace physical activity programs on musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Workplace Health & Safety, 64(5), 210-222. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079916629688. Go to original source...
  37. May, D. R., Gilson, R. L., & Harter, L. M. (2004). The psychological conditions of meaningfulness, safety and availability and the engagement of the human spirit at work. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 77(1), 11-37. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317904322915892. Go to original source...
  38. McCullough, M. E., Tsang, J., & Emmons, R. A. (2004). Gratitude in intermediate affective terrain: Links of grateful moods to individual differences and daily emotional experience. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(2), 295-309. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.86.2.295. Go to original source...
  39. Meyers, M. C., van Woerkom, M., & Bakker, A. B. (2013). The added value of the positive: A literature review of positive psychology interventions in organizations. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 22(5), 618-632. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2012.694689. Go to original source...
  40. Nadeau, J. W. (2008). Meaning-making in bereaved families: Assessment, intervention, and future research. In M. S. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, H. Schut, & W. Stroebe (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention (pp. 511-530). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14498-024. Go to original source...
  41. Nicholson, T., Higgins, W., Turner, P., James, S., Stickle, F., & Pruitt, T. (1994). The relation between meaning in life and the occurrence of drug abuse: A retrospective study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 8(1), 24-28. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.8.1.24. Go to original source...
  42. Oliver, M. B., Hartmann, T., & Woolley, J. K. (2012). Elevation in response to entertainment portrayals of moral virtue. Human Communication Research, 38(3), 360-378. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2012.01427.x. Go to original source...
  43. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. International journal of surgery, 88, 105906. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71. Go to original source...
  44. Peterman, A. H., Fitchett, G., Brady, M. J., Hernandez, L., & Cella, D. (2002). Measuring spiritual well-being in people with cancer: the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-Spiritual Well-being Scale (FACIT-Sp). Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2401_06. Go to original source...
  45. Pieper, C., Schröer, S., & Eilerts, A. L. (2019). Evidence of workplace interventions-a systematic review of systematic reviews. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(19), 3553. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193553. Go to original source...
  46. Pratt, M. G., & Ashforth, B. E. (2003). Fostering Meaningfulness in Working and at Work. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton, & R. E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive Organizational Scholarship: Foundations of a New Discipline (pp. 309-327). Berret-Koehler.
  47. Reker, G. T., Peacock, E. J., & Wong, P. T. P. (1987). Meaning and Purpose in Life and Well-being: A Life-span Perspective. Journal of Gerontology, 42(1), 44-49. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/42.1.44. Go to original source...
  48. Reker, G. T., & Wong, P. T. P. (1988). Aging as an individual process: Toward a theory of personal meaning. In J. E. Birren & V. L. Bengtson (Eds.), Emergent theories of aging (pp. 214-246). Springer Publishing Company.
  49. Ryff, C. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069-1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069. Go to original source...
  50. Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (1998). The role of purpose in life and personal growth in positive human health. In P. P. Wong & P. S. Fry (Eds.), The Human Quest for Meaning: A Handbook of Psychological Research and Clinical Applications (pp. 213-235). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum Publishers.
  51. Saks, A. M. (2011). Workplace spirituality and employee engagement. Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion, 8(4), 317-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2011.630170. Go to original source...
  52. Scroggins, W. A. (2008). Antecedents and outcomes of experienced meaningful work: A person-job fit perspective. The Journal of Business Inquiry, 7(1), 68-78.
  53. Soane, E., Truss, C., Alfes, K., Shantz, A., Rees, C., & Gatenby, M. (2012). Development and application of a new measure of employee engagement: The ISA Engagement Scale. Human Resource Development International, 15(5), 529-547. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2012.726542. Go to original source...
  54. Southwick, S. M., Gilmartin, R., McDonough, P., & Morrissey, P. (2006). Logotherapy as an adjunctive treatment for chronic combat-related PTSD: A meaning-based intervention. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 60(2), 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2006.60.2.161. Go to original source...
  55. Spreitzer, G. (1995). Psychological empowerment in the workplace: Dimensions, measurement and validation. Academy of Management Journal, 38(5), 1442-1465. https://doi.org/10.5465/256865. Go to original source...
  56. Steger, M. F., & Dik, B. J. (2009). If one is looking for meaning in life, does it help to find meaning in work? Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1(3), 303-320. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01018.x. Go to original source...
  57. Steger, M. F., Dik, B. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2012). Measuring meaningful work: The work and meaning inventory (WAMI). Journal of Career Assessment, 20(3), 322-337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072711436160. Go to original source...
  58. Steger M.F., Frazier P., Oishi S. & Kaler M. (2006) The meaning in life questionnaire: assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80-93. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.80. Go to original source...
  59. Steger, M. F., Littman-Ovadia, H., Miller, M., Menger, L., & Rothmann, S. (2013). Engaging in work even when it is meaningless: Positive affective disposition and meaningful work interact in relation to work engagement. Journal of Career Assessment, 21(2), 348-361. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072712471517. Go to original source...
  60. Tompa, E., Dolinschi, R., de Oliveira, C., & Irvin, E. (2009). A systematic review of occupational health and safety interventions with economic analyses. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 51(9), 1004-1023. Go to original source...
  61. Tummers, L. G., & Knies, E. (2013). Leadership and meaningful work in the public sector. Public Administration Review, 73(6), 859-868. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12138. Go to original source...
  62. van Tilburg, W. A. P., & Igou, E. R. (2012). On boredom: Lack of challenge and meaning as distinct boredom experiences. Motivation and Emotion, 36(2), 181-194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-011-9234-9. Go to original source...
  63. Wong, P. T. (2010). Meaning therapy: An integrative and positive existential psychotherapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 40(2), 85-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-009-9132-6. Go to original source...
  64. Wong, P. T. (2011). Positive psychology 2.0: Towards a balanced interactive model of the good life. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 52(2), 69-81. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022511. Go to original source...

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.