The Relationship among Social Connectedness, Meaning in Life, and Wellness for Adult Women in Levinson's Mid-Life Transition Stage

• Main Author: Smithson, Karin L.
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Archive @ GSU 2011
• Subjects: Adult Development; Well-being; Life Meaning; Income; Career; Parenthood
• Online Access: http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cps_diss/63; http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1067&context=cps_diss

While developmental research on the period of midlife has received increased attention in the literature, limited focus has been paid to the transitional stage into midlife, particularly for women. In this study, 286 women between the ages of 38 - 47 years completed online surveys comprised of a demographic questionnaire, the Social Connectedness Scale – Revised (SCS-R; Lee, Draper, & Lee, 2001), the Life Regard Index – Revised (LRI-R; Debats, 1998), and the Five Factor Wellness Inventory – Adult (FFWel-A; Myers & Sweeney, 1999). Participants were recruited through local community-based organizations and snowballing efforts. Participants resided in a major southern metropolitan city. Results from this study indicate that wellness was significantly higher for women who had advanced degrees, higher income levels, and were in a parenting role. Full-time employment and higher education levels were significantly related to higher feelings of meaning in life for women, but being in a parenting role was not linked to higher meaning in life. Implications for counseling women in the Mid-Life Transition Stage are explored and directions for future research are discussed.