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| LETTER TO EDITOR |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 14
| Issue : 1 | Page : 102 |
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Meaning-making towards positive well-being
Fides A del Castillo
Department of Theology and Religious Education, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila, Philippines
| Date of Submission | 03-Feb-2022 |
| Date of Acceptance | 12-Feb-2022 |
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Aug-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Fides A del Castillo
Department of Theology and Religious Education, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila
Philippines
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_37_22
How to cite this article:
del Castillo FA. Meaning-making towards positive well-being. Int J Prev Med 2023;14:102 |
To the Editor,
In a recent article published in this journal, it was noted that the pandemic has caused stress and illness among people.[1] The global health crisis has continued to facilitate even more suffering, leading to greater inequalities between the rich and the poor. Aware of the detrimental effects of stress caused by COVID-19, this paper proposes ways through which the most vulnerable societies can cope with stress and maintain their well-being to avoid further accumulating illnesses.
Victor Frankl advocated “logotherapy” as a way to heal the soul.[2] By cultivating the ability to find meaning in life even in the face of hardship and suffering, people are better able to cope with difficult situations. Deliberate meaning-making and reflecting upon the purpose of life can help facilitate mental health and positive well-being for some poor people,[3] especially as immediate and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is becoming increasingly difficult.
A sense of meaning can be found even under the direst of circumstances. Frankl suggested that humans are driven by a deep desire to find meaning in life, which he called the “will to meaning.” Three distinct ways of finding meaning in life are described by Frankl's logotherapy: 1) by doing good deeds, 2) by having meaningful encounters with others, and 3) by keeping a positive attitude despite difficulties.[2] [Table 1] illustrates these distinct ways are evident in societies.
Although the pandemic poses a significant threat to human life, vulnerable societies can find ways to overcome the challenges and transform themselves into more positive environments. This can be done by motivating oneself to do a higher purpose, find meaning, and virtues in life.[5] The ability to cope and live a meaningful life is enhanced by reaching out to others and having a positive attitude. Therefore, creating meaning in the COVID-19 health crisis is absolutely crucial for creating hope and inspiring people to rise up to make a difference.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Zahid S, Saleem A, Qureshi NE. COVID-19: A relationship between stress and stroke in younger population. Int J Prev Med 2022;13:9.  [Full text] |
| 2. | Frankl VE. Man's Search for Meaning: an Introduction to Logotherapy. Boston: Beacon Press, 1962. |
| 3. | Rahgozar S, Giménez-Llort L. Foundations and applications of logotherapy to improve mental health of immigrant populations in the third millennium. Front Psychiatry 2020;11:451. |
| 4. | |
| 5. | del Castillo F. Virtues in public health: Easing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. J Public Health 2021;43:e277-8. |
[Table 1]
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