D154

Meaning-Making Skill

BD14 Meta-Cognitive & Existential Skills
Derived LayerMML-3

Version v1.2.4

Definition

The ability to construct coherent meaning from difficult life experiences, integrating them into a life narrative that supports resilience and continued growth.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Overwhelmed by negative events; unable to find meaning or integrate experiences; narrative remains fragmented or stuck in victimhood; prolonged distress.

High Pole

Actively processes challenging experiences; constructs narratives that acknowledge difficulty while finding growth, learning, or value; integrates events into coherent life story.

Reference

Can find meaning in some experiences but struggles with severe trauma or loss; may rely on external meaning frameworks without full integration.

Measure

Primary: Narrative Coherence — degree of integration of difficult events into a coherent life narrative.
Secondary: Meaning Elaboration — richness and depth of meaning constructed from experience.

Measuring Methods

Narrative interviews post-significant life events → score for causal coherence, thematic integration, and meaning elaboration.

Empirical Anchor

Meaning-making skill / meaning-making coping (Park, 2010); post-traumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004); narrative identity (McAdams, 2001).

Notes

Related to D062Sensemaking Under Ambiguity (which is more cognitive/problem-focused) and D053Depth of Reflection (which is broader). This is specifically existential meaning-making.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Meaning-Making Skill (HES Passport D154, v1.2.4). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/D154

BibTeX

@misc{hes_D154, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Meaning-Making Skill}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport D154, v1.2.4}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/D154}} }