The current study involved an evaluation of the MIL-CQ on two large
samples of children aged 9–12. In addition, it examined the relationships
between the three pathways of meaning in children and their
socio-emotional functioning (behavioral problems, emotional symptoms,
peer relations problems, hyperactivity, and pro-social behavior),
and their subjective well-being (life satisfaction, and positive and negative
emotions). In line with previous research that found positive associations
between meaning in life and subjective well-being (King et al.,
2006), we hypothesized that we would also find positive associations
between children's life meaning, life satisfaction, and positive affectivity
(lower negative emotions and higher positive emotions). In addition,
consistent with the literature reporting negative relationships between
meaning in life and mental health problems (Zika & Chamberlain,1992), we predicted negative associations between children's sense of
meaning and their emotional and behavioral difficulties.