Exploration of the Relationship Between Goal Engagement Capability, Meaning in Life, and Well-being among College Students

Abstract

With the changes in the higher education environment, the relationship between college students' meaning in life, goal engagement capability, and meaning in life has gradually attracted widespread academic attention. As an individual's deep understanding of life's purpose and value, the meaning in life significantly affects college students' goal engagement capability, which in turn impacts their well-being. This paper analyzes the theoretical connection between life meaning, goal engagement capability, and meaning in life, exploring the mechanism by which life meaning influences students' goal engagement capability and its role in their meaning in life. The research shows that a strong meaning in life can enhance students' intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy, improving their goal engagement capability, thereby promoting psychological adaptation and positive emotions in the pursuit of academic and career goals, and ultimately enhancing their well-being. This paper provides theoretical support for psychological education and student development in higher education and offers practical suggestions to promote college students' mental health and academic success.