Studies show that people—especially young people—with a strong sense of purpose are happier, healthier, more motivated, and more resilient. As purpose scholar Kendall Bronk writes, “We can conclude that individuals who lack purpose and meaning in life are likely to show detrimental effects in a wide range of aspects of psychological functioning, and that individuals with a sense of purpose and meaning in life are poised to thrive.”

Purpose increases well-being.

• People with higher levels of purpose tend to be happier and feel more satisfied with their lives. They have stronger identities and higher levels of self-esteem, and feel more hopeful, optimistic, and confident in their abilities. What’s more, they are more likely to be engaged in their communities in positive, helpful ways.

Purposelessness impairs well-being.

• On the other hand, people who lack a sense of purpose or meaning in their lives report more boredom, anger, and other negative emotions; they are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, social problems, and even suicidality.

Purposeful people are stronger and longer-lived.

• More purposeful people are more resilient and better able to cope with life’s challenges. Purpose has even been related to better physical health and longevity.

Students with purpose do better at school.

• Students with more purposeful goals find their schoolwork more meaningful, probably because they can see how it relates to their future aspirations, and tend to have higher academic achievement. A feeling of purpose in life even seems to protect students from potentially negative influences in their environments.

Purpose is a journey, not just a destination.

• Interestingly, for teens and young adults, just the process of searching for purpose—even if they haven’t found it yet—is associated with greater life satisfaction.