This dissertation utilizes a 2-in-1 format—combining two manuscripts within one dissertation. In the first chapter, I provide an overview of theories and research on purpose in life in diverse fields of study, including personality-social, humanistic-existential, positive, developmental, narrative, vocational psychology and psychotherapy. My literature review indicates that purpose in life is a multifaceted, personality construct, which is situated within an integrated multilevel personality structure, and through employing personality integrative principles and Self-Concordance Theory, purpose in life might be promoted via the following personality constructs -- character strengths, values, identity, and passion. In this chapter, I provide an overview of the above constructs studied in various fields, and present an integrated conceptual framework, along with its implications for research and practice.In the second chapter of the dissertation, I document an empirical evaluation of a 6-chapter, self-help online workbook intervention to promote purpose in life. Grounded in the above-presented integrated personality-based framework, I synthesized theories and research findings in personality-social, humanistic-existential, positive, developmental, narrative, vocational psychology and psychotherapy and compiled interventions suggested by those fields. Based on this theoretical framework, I developed the self-help workbook to promote purpose in life. Utilizing an experimental approach, I examined the efficacy of this intervention across two conditions: the experimental and the waitlist control conditions. Supporting my hypothesis, participants in the experimental group reported a greater increase in (state and trait) purpose in life, state well-being (e.g., meaning in life and hope) as well as a decrease in state psychological symptoms and state suicide ideation, compared to those in the waitlist control condition across three timepoints (at the beginning of the intervention [Time 1], immediately after the intervention [Time 2], and 4 weeks later [Time 3]). The findings from this study provide support for the use of the self-help workbook to improve people's purpose in life, well-being, and mental health.
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