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Purpose in Life: A Brief Review of the Literature and Its Implications for School Guidance Programs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

Mantak Yuen ,
Queenie A.Y. Lee ,
Jason Kam  and
Patrick S.Y. Lau
Mantak Yuen*
Affiliation:
Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, China
Queenie A.Y. Lee
Affiliation:
Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, China
Jason Kam
Affiliation:
Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, China
Patrick S.Y. Lau
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
*
address for correspondence: Dr Mantak Yuen, Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Purpose in life has emerged as an important notion in positive psychology. It is regarded as a factor that can contribute to any individual's wellbeing. Based on a review of the literature, the authors discuss key issues that pertain to purpose in life, including how the construct is defined and conceptualised, its importance in living a fulfilling life, and the development of purpose across the lifespan. Because of its potential to contribute to positive youth development, the authors also discuss how extant research findings can inform school guidance and counselling interventions for adolescents. The PATHS Program in Hong Kong is used as an example to illustrate how students can be helped to establish their purpose in life through the guidance curriculum.

Keywords

adolescenceguidance and counsellingpurpose in life
Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 27 , Issue 1 , June 2017 , pp. 55 - 69
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

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