University of Twente Student Theses
Purpose in Life and Allostatic Load : A Systematic Literature Review
Rozendom, Daphne Sylvie (2024) Purpose in Life and Allostatic Load : A Systematic Literature Review.
|
PDF
635kB |
| Abstract: | Introduction. Allostatic load (AL) serves as an objective measure for quantifying the adverse health consequences of chronic stress on the body. Purpose in life (PIL) is a malleable factor that potentially mitigates AL by facilitating bodily restoration after stress, and shows conceptual overlap with meaning in life (MIL) and sense of coherence (SOC). Aims. To guide future research on PIL’s potential in mitigating AL, this review assessed the robustness and causality of the PIL-AL relationship, as well as mediating and moderating factors. Methods. This review received no funding and was preregistered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024512181). Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies examining the relationship between PIL, MIL, or SOC and at least one AL biomarker were obtained. The studies were sourced from PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Study quality was assessed with adapted versions of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Jaccard Index was utilized to map the overlap of assessed AL biomarkers across studies. All data were narratively synthesized. Results. Among the 23 studies, most reported null findings regarding the PIL-AL relationship. PIL was differently related to individual AL biomarkers, which brings the use of AL as a unitary construct into question. The few studies that investigated moderators found inconsistent results, but health-promoting behaviors consistently mediated the PIL-AL relationship. However, comparing results was difficult due to heterogeneous measurement methods and assessed AL biomarkers and none of the studies were suitable for establishing causality, often lacked representative samples or did not assess PIL and AL at all study waves. Conclusions. Future studies with standardized procedures, experimental designs and improved methodological characteristics should assess PIL’s relationship to individual AL biomarkers before definitive conclusions can be drawn through meta-analysis. Keywords: Allostatic load; Physiological dysregulation; Chronic stress; Purpose in life; Meaning in life; Psychological well-being; Systematic literature review |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/102142 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page