Acton, G. J. [University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA], & Wright, K. B. (2000). Self-transcendence and family caregivers of adults with dementia. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 18(2), 143-158.

-- The caregiving experience of family caregivers of adults with dementia is explored by applying the concept of self-transcendence. Potential strategies to assist in finding personal meaning and wholeness in the context of this life changing event are suggested.

Adams, T. B. [Oklahoma State University, OK, USA], & Bexner, J. R. (2000). Conceptualization and measurement of the spiritual and psychological dimensions of wellness in a college population. Journal of American College Health, 48(4), 165-173.

-- Utilizing the Life Attitude Profile, Life Orientation Test, Sense of Coherence Scale, and Perceived Wellness Survey, spiritual and psychological dimensions of wellness were examined in a college population. The findings suggested that an optimistic outlook and sense of coherence must be present for life purpose to enhance a sense of wellness.

Auhagen, A. E. [Psychology, WE8, FB12, Free University of Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, D-14195 Berlin]. (2000). On the psychology of meaning of life. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 59(1), 34-48.

-- Described a variety of psychological approaches to meaning of life. Discussed definitions, measurements, research perspectives, and applications of meaning in life.

Bolmsjö, I. [Department of Medical Ethics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden]. (2000). Existential issues in palliative care- interviews with cancer patients. Journal of Palliative Care, 16(2), 20-24.

-- Interviews with 10 terminally ill patients were content-analyzed to find that terminally ill patients: (a) experienced a number of problems dealing with existential issues, (b) considered these questions important, and (c) wished to be able to discuss these issues with someone.

Bondevik, M. [University of Bergen, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Ulriksdal 8C, N-5009 Bergen, Norway], & Skogstad, A. (2000). Loneliness, religiousness, and purpose in life in the oldest old. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 11(1), 5-21.

-- Individuals 80 years of age and older were included in this study examining loneliness, religiousness, and purpose in life. Residents living in the community reported significantly higher purpose in life than did residents in institutions. Furthermore, the community group 90-105 years old reported significantly higher purpose in life compared to the age group of 80-89 years.

Bonebright, C. A. [Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, 361 Lindquist Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA], Clay, D. L., & Ankenmann, R. (2000). The relationship of workaholism with work-life conflict, life satisfaction, and purpose in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47(4), 469-477.

-- In this study, 171 salaried employees were classified into types of workaholics and non-workaholics. Comparisons are made between types of workers in terms of life satisfaction, work-life conflict, and purpose in life.

Borders, L. D. [Department of Counseling and Educational Development, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA], Penny, J. M., & Portnoy, F. (2000). Adult adoptees and their friends: Current functioning and psychosocial well-being. Family Relations, 49(4), 407-418.

-- The researchers utilized a group of adult adoptees and a matched group of their friends to compare their responses on five main domains: current view of life, intimacy, connectedness, emotional/psychological well-being, and risk-taking behavior. The PIL Test was one of the measurements used and similarities between groups were found on this measure.

Brat, P. J. (2000). Logotherapy in the care of the terminally ill. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 11, 103-117.

-- Logotherapy concepts and methods are described and applied to the care of the terminally ill. The use of logotherapy in each of the Kubler-Ross stages of death is described.

Clarke, P. J. [Institute for Human Development. Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, suite 106, 222 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3J1, Canada], Marshall, V. W., Ryff, C. D., & Rosenthal, C. J. (2000). Well-being in Canadian seniors: Findings from the Canadian study of health and aging. Canadian Journal on Aging, 19(2), 139-159.

-- Described the results of a study on the subjective well-being of a sample of Canadian seniors. Most viewed aging as a positive period of life evaluation, increased wisdom, and maturity. It was also found that as the seniors aged, they experienced a decline in their sense of purpose in life and opportunities for personal growth.

Close, R. E. [Allina Medical Clinic, Cottage Grove, MN, USA]. (2000). Logotherapy and adult major depression: Psychotheological dimensions in diagnosing the disorder. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 11, 119-140.

-- The author used a case study to demonstrate an expanded view of Major Depression that includes the dimensions of personal meaning and continued being. Frankl’s concepts of a crisis of meaning and the use of values to create meaning were described.

Comings, D. E. [Department of Medical Genetics, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA], Gonzales, N., Saucier, G., Johnson, J. P., & MacMurray, J. P. (2000). The DRD4 gene and the spiritual transcendence scale of the character temperament index. Psychiatric Genetics, 10(4), 185-189.

-- The researchers examined the relationship between the dopamine D₄ receptor gene (DRD4) and personality traits. It was found that the DRD4 gene may play a role in the personality trait of spiritual acceptance.

Compton, W. C. [Psychology Department, P. O. Box 87, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA]. (2000). Meaningfulness as a mediator of subjective well-being. Psychological Reports, 87, 156-160.

-- Meaningfulness was measured by Antonovsky’s measure of the sense of coherence construct. In a sample of 347 college students and community residents, it was found that the strength of one’s belief that life is meaningful was the most important predictor of subjective well-being.

Cunningham, M. [Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, 113 W. 60^th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA]. (2000). Spirituality, cultural diversity and crisis intervention. Crisis Treatment and Time Limited Therapy, 6(1), 65-77.

-- The article described the importance of using spirituality to help find meaning in crisis events. Argument was made for therapists to be aware of different cultural belief systems. Examples of using the spiritual beliefs of patients during bereavement are provided.

Foley, L. [Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health, 8501 W. Dodge Road, Omaha, NE 68114, USA]. (2000). Exploring the experience of spirituality in older women finding meaning in life. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 12(1), 5-15.

-- 210 older women participated in this study that explored their spirituality and ability to find meaning in life. The JAREL Spiritual Well-Being Scale was used to assist the author in describing the spirituality of older women.

Francis, L. J. [Centre for Ministry Studies, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2PX, UK]. (2000). The relationship between bible reading and purpose in life among 13-15-year-olds. Mental Health, Religion, & culture, 3(1), 27-36.

-- In a study examining the relationship between bible reading and perceived purpose in life among 25,888 13-15 year-olds, the conclusion was made that bible reading makes a small but unique contribution to promoting a sense of purpose in life. Purpose in life was also correlated with belief in God, church attendance, and personality variables.

Fry, P. S. [Research Professor, Graduate Program in Psychology, Trinity Western University, 7600 Glover Road, Langley, British Columbia, Canada V2Y 1Y1]. Religious involvement, spirituality and personal meaning for life: Existential predictors of psychological wellbeing in community-residing and institutional care elders. Aging & Mental Health, 4(4), 375-387.

-- Examined the role of existential factors such as religiosity, spirituality, and personal meaning in the psychological well-being of older adults. It was found that these measures contributed more to well-being than demographic variables, income, and negative life events.

Gerwood, J. B. [P. O. Box 286, Stevens Point, WI 54481-0286, USA]. (2000). The finesse of logotherapy reply to Kovacs. Psychological Reports, 86(2), 414.

-- The author used a case example to illustrate how therapists and patients continually search for meaning in life, often without specific knowledge of logotherapy.

Greenstein, M. [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 90 Riverside Drive, Suite 16F, New York, NY, 100024, USA]. (2000). The house that’s on fire: Meaning-centered psychotherapy pilot group for cancer patients. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 54(4), 501-511.

-- The article described the themes and issues that arose during the pilot group of a meaning-centered group therapy for cancer patients. The patients described positive and negative changes in self due to cancer.

Greenstein, M. [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 90 Riverside Drive, Suite 16F, New York, NY, 100024, USA], & Breitbart, W. (2000). Cancer and the experience of meaning: A group psychotherapy program for people with cancer. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 54(4), 486-500.

-- A group psychotherapy program for people with cancer was introduced in this article. The program used the work of Frankl to help patients find a sense of meaning during their illness.

Halama, P. [Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic]. (2000). Dimensions of life meaning as factors of coping. Studia Psychologica, 42(4), 339-350.

-- Examines the relationship of meaning in life and the preference of coping strategies in late adolescence. Three dimensions of meaning were measured including intensity (level an individual perceives that his/her life has purpose), breadth (number of sources or values in one’s life), and depth (level of self-transcendence of meaning in life).

Honkasalo, M. L. [Department of Cultural Anthropology, PB 59, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland]. (2000). Chronic pain as a posture towards the world. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 41, 197-208.

-- The author used a phenomenological approach and case examples to describe chronic pain and to illustrate the meaning of chronic pain in three patients. Pain was described in relation to the issues of meanings in the world and life in general.

-- The article discussed spirituality, view of life, and sense of coherence in palliative care. The author described a person’s view of life as a meaning-giving system. Recommendations for caregivers were provided to help cope with existential problems.

Langer, N. [School of Graduate Social Service, Fordham University, USA]. (2000). The importance of spirituality in later life. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 20(3), 41-50.

-- The assessment and enhancement of spirituality in older adults were discussed. Spirituality was conceptualized in terms of purpose, meaning, and life themes.

Lantz, J. [Ohio State University, College of Social Work, 1947 College Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 USA], & Gregoire, T. (2000). Existential psychotherapy with couples facing breast cancer: A twenty year report. Contemporary Family Therapy, 22(3), 315-327.

-- Described an existential approach to couples therapy with couples facing breast cancer. The PIL Test was used, and results suggested that this was an effective treatment strategy.

Lantz, J. [Ohio State University, College of Social Work, 1947 College Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 USA], & Gregoire, T. (2000). Existential psychotherapy with Vietnam veteran couples: A twenty-five year report. Contemporary Family Therapy, 22(1), 19-37.

-- Provided a descriptive clinical study of existential psychotherapy with 53 Vietnam combat veteran couples treated by the main author. Treatment included elements of holding, telling, mastering, and honoring the combat trauma pain. All couples were reported to have made good progress based on self-report and two clinical measures of marital adjustment.

Lantz, J. [Ohio State University, College of Social Work, 1947 College Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 USA]. (2000). Phenomenological reflection and time in Viktor Frankl’s existential psychotherapy. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 31(2), 220-231.

-- The author described Viktor Frankl’s existential psychotherapy in terms of phenomenological reflection. Case material was used to illustrate this approach and its relationship with time. Frankl’s therapeutic approach was described as helping clients to "notice," "actualize," and "honor" the meanings and meaning potentials in life.

Maltsberger, J. T. (ed. ) [38 Fuller Street, Brookline, MA 02146, USA]. (2000). Mansur Zaskar: A man almost bored to death. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 30(1), 83-90.

-- A case study of a man struggling with boredom and lack of meaning. Three case conceptualizations were presented including one describing noögenic neuroses.

McColl, M. A. [School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario Canada, K7L3N6], Bickenbach, J., Johnston, J., Nishihama, S., Schumaker, M., Smith, K., Smith, M., & Yealland, B. (2000). Changes in spiritual beliefs after traumatic disability. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 81(6), 817-823.

-- The researchers interviewed 16 patients after discharge from a rehabilitation program for a spinal cord or brain injury. A sense of purpose in life that was not present before the onset of the injury was reported.

Minehan, J. A., Newcomb, M. D. [Box 951563, 1282A Franz Hall, UCLA Psychology Department, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA], & Galaif, E. R. (2000). Predictors of adolescent drug use: Cognitive abilities, coping strategies, and purpose in life. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 10(2), 33-52.

-- Examined the role of purpose in life (used Revised PIL Test) among adolescents as a predictor to drug use. Found that high purpose in life predicted less alcohol use, and existential confusion predicted more illicit drug use. Concluded that educational programs should encourage a feeling of purpose in life as a deterrent to drug use for adolescents.

Mountain, D. A. [Specialist Registrar in Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Scotland], & Muir, W. J.. (2000). Spiritual well-being in psychiatric patients. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 17(4), 123-127.

-- This study surveyed patients with psychiatric disorders, chronic medical conditions, and patients visiting their general practitioner. Psychiatric patients scored lower on the Existential Well-Being subscale of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and expressed lower life satisfaction and purpose.

Norberg, A. [Umea University and University of Goteborg, Sweden], Ekman, I., & Ehnfors, M. (2000). The meaning of living with severe chronic heart failure as narrated by elderly people. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 14(2).

-- Using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach, the meaning of elderly patients’ experiences of living with chronic heart failure was studied.

Plante, T. G. [Psychology Department, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA 95053-0333, USA], Yancey, S., Sherman, A., & Guertin, M. (2000). The association between strength of religious faith and psychological functioning. Pastoral Psychology, 48(5), 405-412.

-- Examined the relationship between religious faith and psychological functioning in college students. Strength of religious faith was significantly associated with experiencing life-meaning. Themes that emerged were "feeling imprisoned in illness" and "feeling free despite illness."

Rhoades, D. R. [1208 Bush River Road, C-11, Columbia, SC 29210, USA], & McFarland, K. F. (2000). Purpose in life and self-actualization in agency-supported caregivers. Community Mental Health Journal, 36(5), 513-521.

-- Utilizing the PIL Test, the researchers examined the experiences of paid caregivers for seriously mentally ill individuals. The caregivers in the study possessed a high purpose in life compared to norms for the PIL.

Robak, R. W. [Psychology Department, Pace University, 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570, USA], & Griffin, P. W. (2000). Purpose in life: What is its relationship to happiness, depression, and grieving? North American Journal of Psychology, 2(1), 113-120.

-- This article described the relationships between purpose in life (PIL Test), happiness, depression, and grieving among college students.

Sarvimäki, A. [Research Director, Kuntokallio Center for Gerontological Training and Research, Helsinki, Finland]. (2000). Quality of life in old age described as a sense of well-being, meaning and value. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32(4), 1025-.

-- Examined quality of life in a group of 300 elderly participants aged 75 and older. Quality of life was defined as a sense of well-being, meaning, and value. The study presented a model of quality of life and provided results that give preliminary support to the model.

Seeber, J. J. [Center for Aging, Religion and Spirituality, USA]. (2000). Meaning in long term care settings: Victor Frankl’s contribution to gerontology. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 11, 141-157.

-- The author applied logotherapy concepts to aging and also provided a list of potential sources of meaning for elderly persons in long term care.

Showalter, S. M. [Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, 180 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA], & Wagener, L. M. (2000). Adolescents’ meaning in life: A replication of DeVogler and Ebersole (1983). Psychological Reports, 87(1), 115-126.

-- Meaning in life characteristics and categories (based on essay responses) among adolescents in a Christian setting were compared with findings from a previous study of non-Christian adolescents.

Smith, B. W. [Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA], & Zautra, A. J. (2000). Purpose in life and coping with knee-replacement surgery. The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 20, 96-99.

-- Found that a sense of purpose in life was related to recovery from knee-replacement surgery. Suggested that occupational therapy may promote recovery by increasing an individual’s sense of meaning and purpose.

Taylor, S. E. [Department of psychology, University of California, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1563, USA], Kemeny, M. E., Reed, G. M., Bower, J. E., & Gruenewald, T. L. (2000). Psychological resources, positive illusions, and health. American Psychologist, 55(1), 99-109.

-- The researchers examined the role of optimism, control, and meaning on the physical health of men infected with HIV, and found that the ability to find meaning in the experience was associated with a less rapid course of illness.