LE3 .A278 2015

2015

Horvath, Peter

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Psychology

Psychology

Meaningfulness has been positively associated with well-being (Ben-Ari, 2011; Frankl, 1966; Park & Gutierrez, 2013). What can be done to enhance meaningfulness, however, remains unclear. Meaningfulness is achieved through perceiving predictability in the relationships between objects in one’s life (Proulx & Inzlicht, 2012). Given that creativity is understood to be something that is novel and effective (Runco & Jaeger, 2012), the process through which an individual makes meaning is arguably a creative process. The novel interpretation of the event returns the individual to a state of meaningfulness, which is effective in fostering well-being. The current study experimentally tested the two-step hypotheses that creative engagement will increase meaningfulness, which is predicted to enhance well-being. Fifty-two undergraduate participants, 85% of whom were female, were randomly assigned to either a creative group, in which they designed a t-shirt, or control group, in which they copied a t-shirt design. After engaging in a mortality salience task, participants completed measures of meaningfulness, anxiety, mood, and worldview defensiveness. Results supported the proposed two-stage model of Protective Creativity, with creative engagement increasing meaningfulness, which was related to measures of well-being, particularly anxiety and positive affect. This study suggests creativity and its effects on meaningfulness and well-being may provide a low-cost, highly accessible, time-efficient means through which individuals can become better able to face inevitable adversities in life.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:389