The Influence of State Authenticity on the Sense of Meaning in Life of Middle School Students: Evidence from a Daily Diary Investigation and an Authenticity Enhancement Experiment

Abstract

Authenticity is a positive force for adolescent development. Taking middle school students as the main research objects, this paper examines the causal mechanism between state authenticity (SA) and sense of meaning in life through two studies: the diary method and authenticity level increase experiment. In study 1, through the daily diary data tracking investigation of 130 middle school students in daily life situations, the basic psychological needs (BPNs) and satisfaction with life (SWL) play a chain mediating role between state authenticity and sense of daily meaning in life. State authenticity has a one-way prediction effect on sense of meaning in life. In study 2, 140 participants were randomly divided into two groups (experimental group and control group). Middle school students in the experimental group were activated to recall the authenticity experience events to enhance the level of personal authenticity, and it was found that the subjects reported a higher sense of meaning in life. This study reveals the causal mechanism between authenticity and sense of meaning of life, which has positive practical significance for exploring ways to enhance the sense of meaning of life of middle school students.