Presence and Search for Meaning in Life and Work and Growth Mindset in One Higher Education Institution

This study examined the levels and interrelationships of meaning in life (presence and search), meaning in work, and growth mindset among employees in a Philippine higher education institution, and explored contextual explanations for low-scoring profiles through qualitative follow-up. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected from 156 employees using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), the Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI), and an 8-item Growth Mindset Scale; qualitative data were drawn from follow-up interviews with purposively selected respondents who reported low meaning in life. Quantitatively, respondents reported generally low meaning in life on both presence (M = 21.51) and search (M = 21.38). Meaning in work was moderate-to-high overall (M = 41.79), with positive meaning emerging as the strongest component. Growth mindset was high (M = 33.29). Meaning in life correlated positively with meaning in work, but both were only weakly associated with growth mindset. Group comparisons showed that presence of meaning in life differed across age, civil status, educational attainment, years of service, and monthly income, while search for meaning differed across religious affiliation. Meaning in work differed by employment status, with lower scores among contractual/temporary employees than regular/permanent employees in the contrasts retained for reporting. Qualitatively, respondents located meaning primarily in relationships (family, partner, co-workers), small daily aspirations, and perceived responsibility; however, work-related setbacks and employment precarity were described as salient challenges. An intervention program (“Bakit Ako Nandito?”) is proposed to strengthen meaning-making and work-related significance through reflective practice, mentoring, and values-alignment activities.