Tatjana Schnell – författare

The new edition of this bestselling book, The Psychology of Meaning in Life, has been thoroughly updated to offer an inspiring exploration of cutting-edge findings from the psychology of meaning in life. Schnell draws on multiple psychological and philosophical perspectives, including those from existential, clinical, social, positive, and health psychology, and lived experience to introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life.

Written in an accessible style and full of practical, evidence-based applications, this book covers a range of topics, including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, the connection between worldview and meaning, meaning in the workplace, meaning-centred interventions, and existential communication. The Hierarchic Meaning Model explains how meaning emerges, from basic perception to the complex experience of meaning in life. By situating meaningfulness – experienced as significance, purpose, coherence, and belonging – within broader social contexts, the book discusses the effects of inequality and global crises and suggests introducing an ethics of meaning. Measurement tools are presented, and each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection, inspiring the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life.

The Psychology of Meaning in Life, Second Edition has crucial significance for advancing the field of existential health. It is essential reading for students, researchers, and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, pastoral care, coaching, healthcare, and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring what makes life meaningful.

The new edition of this bestselling book, The Psychology of Meaning in Life, has been thoroughly updated to offer an inspiring exploration of cutting-edge findings from the psychology of meaning in life. Schnell draws on multiple psychological and philosophical perspectives, including those from existential, clinical, social, positive, and health psychology, and lived experience to introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life.

Written in an accessible style and full of practical, evidence-based applications, this book covers a range of topics, including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, the connection between worldview and meaning, meaning in the workplace, meaning-centred interventions, and existential communication. The Hierarchic Meaning Model explains how meaning emerges, from basic perception to the complex experience of meaning in life. By situating meaningfulness – experienced as significance, purpose, coherence, and belonging – within broader social contexts, the book discusses the effects of inequality and global crises and suggests introducing an ethics of meaning. Measurement tools are presented, and each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection, inspiring the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life.

The Psychology of Meaning in Life, Second Edition has crucial significance for advancing the field of existential health. It is essential reading for students, researchers, and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, pastoral care, coaching, healthcare, and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring what makes life meaningful.

Understanding Existential Health for Dementia Care is a groundbreaking book that describes how existential health can enrich and expand bio-psycho-social approaches to dementia care, recognizing that well-being extends beyond physical, neurological, and cognitive symptoms. This book equips professionals, clinicians, and caregivers to integrate existential dimensions into person-centered care, emphasizing the role of meaning in life and emotional connection for dealing with illness and suffering.

Beginning with an introduction to the concept of existential health, the book connects this to an overall understanding of health related to dementia care. Core themes include the coincidence of suffering and meaning, fear of dementia, challenges to personhood, and multicultural perspectives. The book then provides an overview of how existential health can enhance person-centered care, addressing different types of dementia, neurological changes, emotional factors, and daily life functioning.The final section provides examples of existential support, including tools for meaningful conversations and existential exploration. The last chapter weaves together the book’s thematic threads, highlighting how past experiences contribute to present sense of meaning, identity, and connectedness in people with dementia.

It is valuable reading for professionals in dementia care—nurses, psychologists, doctors, and chaplains—as well as for caregivers seeking inspiration and students in medicine, nursing, psychology, theology, and social work.

Understanding Existential Health for Dementia Care is a groundbreaking book that describes how existential health can enrich and expand bio-psycho-social approaches to dementia care, recognizing that well-being extends beyond physical, neurological, and cognitive symptoms. This book equips professionals, clinicians, and caregivers to integrate existential dimensions into person-centered care, emphasizing the role of meaning in life and emotional connection for dealing with illness and suffering.

Beginning with an introduction to the concept of existential health, the book connects this to an overall understanding of health related to dementia care. Core themes include the coincidence of suffering and meaning, fear of dementia, challenges to personhood, and multicultural perspectives. The book then provides an overview of how existential health can enhance person-centered care, addressing different types of dementia, neurological changes, emotional factors, and daily life functioning.The final section provides examples of existential support, including tools for meaningful conversations and existential exploration. The last chapter weaves together the book’s thematic threads, highlighting how past experiences contribute to present sense of meaning, identity, and connectedness in people with dementia.

It is valuable reading for professionals in dementia care—nurses, psychologists, doctors, and chaplains—as well as for caregivers seeking inspiration and students in medicine, nursing, psychology, theology, and social work.

In diesem anregenden Fachbuch werden aktuelle wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zum Thema „Lebenssinn“ greifbar und in der Praxis nutzbar. Auf der Grundlage empirischer Forschungsergebnisse erfahren die Leser, welche Dimensionen von Sinn es gibt und wie man sie für sich bzw. für Klienten entdecken kann. Transdisziplinär gewonnene Einsichten zu Sinn und Gesundheit sowie Sinn in der Arbeitswelt werden dargestellt. Der Einfluss gesellschaftlicher Entwicklungen auf die Sinnfrage wird diskutiert. Ergänzende philosophische und reflektierende Selbsterkundungen machen das Lesen zu einem Erlebnis – wenn es glückt: zu einem sinnhaften Erleben.

Geschrieben für psychologische und ärztliche Psychotherapeuten, Psychiater, Psychologen, Pädagogen, Berater, Organisationsentwickler, Seelsorger, interessierte Laien.

In diesem anregenden Fachbuch werden aktuelle wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zum Thema Lebenssinn greifbar und in der Praxis nutzbar. Auf der Grundlage empirischer Forschungsergebnisse erfahren die Leserinnen und Leser, welche Dimensionen von Sinn es gibt und wie man sie für sich bzw. für Klienten entdecken kann. Transdisziplinär gewonnene Einsichten zu Sinn und Gesundheit sowie Sinn in der Arbeitswelt werden dargestellt. Der Einfluss gesellschaftlicher Entwicklungen auf die Sinnfrage wird diskutiert. Ergänzende philosophische und reflektierende Selbsterkundungen machen das Lesen zu einem Erlebnis – wenn es glückt: zu einem sinnhaften Erleben. 

Geschrieben für psychologische und ärztliche Psychotherapeuten, Psychiater, Psychologen, Pädagogen, Berater, Organisationsentwickler, Seelsorger, interessierte Laien. 

Aus dem Inhalt: 

Die Autorin:

Prof. Dr. Tatjana Schnell forscht und lehrt zum Thema Lebenssinn am Institut für Psychologie der Universität Innsbruck (Ö) und der MF Specialized University, Oslo (NO). Auf www.sinnforschung.org geben sie und ihr Team allgemeinverständliche Einblicke in die internationale Sinnforschung.

In diesem anregenden Fachbuch werden aktuelle wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zum Thema Lebenssinn greifbar und in der Praxis nutzbar. Auf Grundlage empirischer Forschungsergebnisse erfahren Leserinnen und Leser, wie Sinn persönlich und beruflich entdeckt werden kann. 

Sinnentstehung und Sinnerfahrung werden beschrieben und im Kontext gesellschaftlicher Entwicklungen beleuchtet. Einsichten zu existenzieller Kommunikation, Sinn in Gesundheit und Arbeit bieten praktische Relevanz. Ergänzende philosophische und reflektierende Selbsterkundungen machen das Lesen zu einem Erlebnis – wenn es glückt: zu einer sinnhaften Erfahrung. 

Geschrieben für Fachkräfte in Psychotherapie, Psychiatrie, Medizin, Pädagogik, Beratung, Wirtschaft, Sozialarbeit, Seelsorge, für Forschung und (Selbst-)Studium. 

Aus dem Inhalt: 

Sinn suchen? – Sinn definieren – Zur Erfassung von Lebenssinn – Wie entsteht Sinn? – Lebensbedeutungen: Quellen des Lebenssinns – Sinnvariationen – Sinn und Weltanschauung – Die soziale Dimension des Lebenssinns – Sinnkrise – Existenzielle Indifferenz – Sinn und Glück – Sinn, Gesundheit und Krankheit – Sinn und Existenz in der Praxis – Arbeit und Sinn. 

Die Autorin: 

Tatjana Schnell ist Professorin für Existenzielle Psychologie an der MF Specialized University in Oslo, Norwegen, und Fellow an der Humanistischen Hochschule Berlin. Seit über 20 Jahren erforscht sie die Frage nach dem Sinn: im Leben, in der Arbeit, in Krisenzeiten. Sie ist Direktorin des Existential Psychology Lab und gründete die Plattform Sinnmacher.