Beyond Work, Scroll, and Repeat: Cultivating Meaning and Purpose in Gen Z
“I have no purpose or meaning in life. I just go to work, do my mundane job, go home, prepare for the next day, scroll on my phone, and repeat.”
Work. Scroll. Repeat. It’s not a recipe for a meaningful or gratifying life.
And yet, in our new report, On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges, over half of young adults (58%) said they had experienced little or no purpose or meaning in their lives in the previous month. In addition, half of young people said that their mental health was negatively influenced by “not knowing what to do with my life.”
Our research showed no significant differences across gender, race, or income in the percentage of young adults who reported low levels of purpose or meaning. Those belonging to a religion were more likely to report meaning or purpose (47%) than Atheists (34%) and Agnostics (32%). College students were no more likely to report meaning and purpose than those not in college, though respondents with graduate school degrees were significantly more likely (81%) to report meaning and purpose than those who left school after obtaining a bachelor's degree (51%), a vocational degree (44%), or a high school degree (35%).
“...over half of young adults (58%) said they had experienced little or no purpose or meaning in their lives in the previous month.”
But this lack of meaning and purpose is correlated in our data with several mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Young adults who said they had little or no purpose or meaning reported more than twice the rates of anxiety or depression than young adults who did feel purpose and meaning (54% vs. 25%, respectively).
It seems clear that meaning and purpose can be a bulwark against mental health struggles. But how do those of us with young adults in our lives support them in developing a sense of meaning and purpose?
Let’s go back to the data. We also asked on our survey where young adults did find meaning and purpose. By far, the biggest source of meaning and purpose was relationships; nearly half (46%) mentioned relationships or loved ones as sources of meaning and purpose. Serving others or having an impact on others’ lives came in a distant second (13%). Twelve percent (12%) said they found meaning and purpose in pursuing future goals of some kind (this includes 5% of respondents who specifically mentioned work and the handful of respondents—less than 1%—who said they found meaning and purpose in school). Finally, about 7% mentioned God or religion.
“By far, the biggest source of meaning and purpose was relationships; nearly half (46%) mentioned relationships or loved ones as sources of meaning and purpose. ”
With this data and additional findings from the report in mind, here are five suggestions for guiding Gen Z young adults on their path to finding meaning.
Cultivate relationships with young adults. Older adults can play a vital role in providing young adults with a sense of belonging, support, and guidance. They can offer a listening ear, share their life experiences and insights, and help young adults navigate challenges and opportunities.
Practice careful listening. Parents, educators, workplace supervisors, and other older adults can serve as mentors and role models for young adults, providing them with valuable advice and support as they navigate their careers, relationships, and personal growth. However, our data suggests that young adults don’t just want advice or problem-solving—they want older adults to listen to them more and to connect their insights to young people’s specific beliefs, views, and realities.
Encourage and model service to others. Volunteering together or participating in community service projects can be a powerful way for older adults to inspire young adults to find meaning and purpose through serving others. By working together to make a positive impact, older adults can model the importance of civic engagement and social responsibility.
Set other-focused goals. Older adults can share their own experiences with setting and achieving goals that contribute beyond the self, including taking on pressing problems in their communities and country. They can provide guidance and support as young adults navigate their own paths to creating change and can underscore the importance of goal-setting, breaking down goals into smaller steps, celebrating successes, and developing coping strategies to deal with setbacks.
Nurture spiritual growth and exploration. Older adults can encourage young adults to explore their spiritual beliefs and values, and can offer guidance and support on young adults’ spiritual journeys. This can help young adults find meaning and purpose in their lives through faith and connection to something greater than themselves.
These recommendations can empower older adults to make a positive impact on the lives of young adults, helping them cultivate a sense of meaning and purpose while fostering stronger intergenerational connections.
Posted by Alison Cashin, Director of Communications
