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Key points
- Having multiple sources of meaning is linked with greater well-being.
- Several factors, including childhood neglect, contribute to addiction.
- A sense of meaning or purpose decreases the risk of both substance use and relapse.
After reading the recent memoirs by the late Matthew Perry and fellow actor Matthew McConaughey, I found myself reflecting upon the shared elements of their circumstances and their contrasting inner lives. As the two Matthews marinated in my mind, their words distilled a vital lesson for promoting mental health and well-being: Diversify your sources of meaning.
Both Matthews could claim charisma, talent, and fame. However, Perry described craving a limitless amount of attention and approval—perhaps stemming from his parents’ neglect. At one point, he realized that he was simultaneously starring in the number-one television show (Friends) and the number-one movie at the box office (The Whole Nine Yards). But it still didn’t feel like enough. Nothing felt like enough—an emotional hole that fueled Perry’s substance-use disorders with alcohol and drugs and sabotaged his romantic relationships.
McConaughey’s memoir, on the other hand, reflects meaning derived from multiple domains: constructing a massive treehouse, connecting with nature, learning from spiritual teachers, driving long distances, nourishing relationships with his wife and children, and shifting to acting projects such as The Dallas Buyers Club that were motivated by artistic rather than commercial interests.
Some of McConaughey’s sources of meaning involve other people, and others do not. Some of his sources of meaning involve his work, and others do not. It’s a rather diversified emotional portfolio.
The available research confirms the psychological benefits of deriving meaning from multiple sources. One study involving 247 individuals ages 30 to 69 showed that people who endorsed more sources of meaning experienced greater well-being. Another study of 376 older adults reported that people whose sources of meaning reflected self-preoccupation were more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Of course, the differences between these actors’ inner dynamics can’t be reduced to a single plotline. Other themes include contrasting types of family dysfunction: McConaughey relates (and even glorifies) a shocking amount of physical violence within his family of origin, whereas Perry’s upbringing was characterized by neglect, to the extent that he considered titling his memoir Unaccompanied Minor. Neglect is an understudied form of childhood trauma that increases the risk of substance-use disorders.
Reading Perry’s memoir is devastating, in part because it is perplexing to the reader (and seemingly to Perry himself) what could have helped him. Addiction is complex, with many factors contributing to substance use and recovery. In addition to considering the influence of childhood trauma and the physiological mechanisms of addiction, recent research highlights the role of meaning-making in decreasing the risk for both substance use and relapse.
Our levels of exposure to childhood trauma—and whether our bodies become addicted after trying alcohol or other drugs—are factors that we can’t control. However, nourishing multiple sources of meaning in life mitigates negative outcomes and enhances well-being.
