Teenagers who feel they have a purpose in life have a significantly lower risk of developing depression in early adulthood, reveals a new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
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The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a time of change, where young people face increasing educational, professional and relational pressures. In this fragile context, depression is becoming more and more common, and its effects can have long-term effects on personal life, professional achievements and even physical health, say researchers.
How that inner “purpose” actually works
“The transition to adulthood has always been a sensitive time for the development of depression, and this is even more visible today.” says Angelina R. Sutin, professor at Florida State University College of Medicine and lead author of the study.
“Adolescents who feel goal-oriented are less likely to become depressed during the transition to adulthood,” says Sutin. “This supports the idea that goal development can be a valuable intervention for psychological well-being.”
Researchers describe this “purpose in life” as an “internal structure” that helps young people navigate the challenges of identity, autonomy, and social pressures specific to maturation. Thus, having goals and a sense of one's own development can increase resilience, improve the ability to manage stress, and provide a framework for orientation in times of uncertainty.
Moreover, the results of the study support the need for educational and therapeutic programs that support adolescents to clarify their values, establish their life directions and outline their long-term goals. The benefits of such interventions can go far beyond the scope of personal development, having an essential role in protecting mental health over time.
Why family environment changes an adolescent's emotional trajectory
“The study confirms something I see all the time in my practice: teenagers who feel they have a sense of purpose, a direction in life, are much more protected from depression. The research clearly shows that young people with a sense of purpose are 35% less likely to develop depression by adulthood.” Denisa Zdrobiș, family, couple and child systemic psychotherapist, explains for Adevărul.
But beyond the numbers, what she says she sees in her day-to-day work is how this “purpose” becomes an inner support, an emotional anchor that helps her get through the inevitable challenges of adolescence, she says.
“Let's not forget that adolescence is, psychologically speaking, an emotional storm, a period of self-identity crisis. Young people struggle to answer fundamental questions that can completely destabilize their world: 'Who am I, really?' and “What's the point of this world?” If these questions remain unanswered, psychic energy turns inward, fueling constant negative rumination. This emptiness and this internal isolation is the fertile ground on which depression is born and develops.” explains the specialist.
From a systemic perspective, adolescents do not find meaning in solitude. It is formed in their relationships: in the way they are viewed in the family, in the way they are validated at school, in the freedom they get to explore who they are. “I often see how a young person begins to transform when he feels that what he is doing matters, that he is seen and accepted. The moment that thread of personal direction emerges, be it a passion, an interest, a dream, or even a meaningful relationship. He shifts his focus from internal vulnerabilities to external contribution, and a form of emotional resilience emerges.”adds Denisa Zdrobiș.
In the office, he admits that he met many teenagers who, at first, came with anxiety, confusion, lack of confidence. But, he says, when they manage to discover a purpose, even a small one, the way they relate to themselves and the world changes visibly. They become more emotionally stable, regulate their reactions better, and begin to see difficulties as natural steps, not as impossible obstacles.
”For me, a 'purpose' doesn't mean a clear career path or a perfectly linear trajectory. Most of the time it's an internal feeling: “I have a place in the world. I matter. What I do has value.” And this feeling is born, most often, in families where there is room for exploration and authenticity, where parents really listen, are curious and connected, not just concerned with “performance” or “results”.” says the psychotherapist.
Healthy relationships offer teenagers what Denisa Zdrobiș often calls in sessions “the fertile ground of meaning”. There, the young person can try, make mistakes, return, reflect. Thus he begins to allow himself to dream and build his own identity, without fear of being invalidated or rejected.
“That's why I strongly believe that preventing depression in teenagers starts in the family and in the community, with how we help them build meaning in their lives. The goal is not to prevent them from facing challenges, but to help them overcome them with more confidence. And this is, in essence, the 'psychological airbag' that the studies also talk about: the feeling that you have a direction and a reason to go forward.” concludes the specialist.
What people are saying on Reddit
On Reddit, one user writes that: “Having a meaning in life makes life easier to bear? Who would have thought. Who has one Why to live for he can bear almost anything How – Friedrich Nietzsche, about 150 years ago.”
Another user brings up the distinction between meaning and purpose: “Personally, I hate the idea that you need a purpose to give your life meaning. Meaning shouldn't depend on your usefulness to something.”
Someone else tells him that:Meaning is something intrinsic, something that happens inside you. Purpose is about your interactions with the world around you.”
In the same discussion, the concept of flow appears, introduced by the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, o “highly focused state of mind that promotes productivity”:
“Csikszentmihalyi showed that regular involvement in an activity that induces a state of flow increases the feeling of fulfillment. His most illustrative examples are hardcore surfers, who dedicate their lives to chasing waves. Flow is not about lifestyle, but about moments when the individual completely loses himself in the activity, losing track of time.” another user commented.
Other users expand on the idea: for some, flow can be parenting, a hobby, or even career aspects. What is important is the sense of genuine involvement that induces satisfaction.
Several comments bring practical experiences to the fore: volunteering and community involvement are mentioned as concrete ways to find purpose and meaning in life. For example, one user recounts how volunteering at a local library gave him a reason to get up in the morning, even when work or the news seemed overwhelming.
Others point out that small gestures, such as being present in a community group or being recognized and appreciated in the neighborhood, create a real sense of purpose and belonging.
In parallel, the discussions do not omit the wider social context. Some users note that today's youth face structural difficulties (economic instability, difficulty accessing stable housing or careers) that make it harder for teens to feel that their lives have direction. The study thus links individual experiences to general social trends, showing that purpose in life is not only a matter of mindset, but also of social and economic conditions that allow young people to realistically aspire to a secure future.
However, comments on Reddit emphasize that purpose and meaning are not just abstract concepts: they manifest through concrete actions, authentic engagement, and meaningful relationships, and their benefits are felt directly in the mental health and emotional well-being of teens and young adults.
How acts of kindness influence well-being and social connectedness
We recall that an experimental study by Cregg and Cheavens (2023) highlighted the role of acts of kindness in terms of emotional well-being and social connections, compared to traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Social connectedness is a critical predictor of well-being, both in the general population and among those with clinical symptoms of anxiety or depression, but traditional CBT approaches appear less effective in improving this aspect, the authors wrote.
In the study, 122 adults with elevated symptoms of anxiety or depression were randomly assigned to three groups: acts of kindness (AB), social activities (AS), and cognitive reappraisal (CR). Participants completed the tasks over five weeks, with weekly assessments of symptoms, life satisfaction, affect, and social connectedness.
Results showed that although all interventions reduced negative affect and anxiety/depression symptoms, only acts of kindness led to significant increases in social connectedness and improvements in life satisfaction. Compared to social activities or cognitive reappraisal, acts of kindness have demonstrated stronger and more sustained effects over time on social well-being.
An important mechanism identified was the reduction of excessive self-concern. Participants who performed acts of kindness showed significant decreases in public self-absorption, which mediated increased social connectedness and life satisfaction. This suggests that engaging in prosocial behaviors shifts attention from one's own concerns to the needs of others, generating tangible psychological benefits.
These findings emphasize that the integration of acts of kindness into psychological intervention programs can provide an effective tool for enhancing well-being and social relationships, overcoming the limitations of some traditional CBT techniques. In essence, simply turning to the good of others can be a practical and accessible way to heal ourselves not only emotionally, but also socially.
