Key Findings
- Most Americans (69%) agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life (high existential agency). This is the case for both men and women and across regions of the country. The percent of Americans reporting high levels of existential agency has increased from 63% in 2021 to 69% in 2022. Existential agency increases with age, but a majority of Americans across all age groups agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life.
- Though the percent of Americans reporting high levels of existential agency generally increased acrossgroups from 2021 to 2022, there was a dramatic increase among adults under the age of 25. In 2021, only 39% of young adults reported high levels of existential agency. In 2022, 63% of young adults reported high levels of existential agency.
- Level of education is positively associated with existential agency. However, the majority of Americans across all levels of education agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life.
- Household income is positively associated with existential agency. However, the majority of Americans in every income group agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life.
- Work is positively associated with existential agency. Employed and retired Americans are more likely to agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life than Americans who are not working and not retired.
- Marriage is positively associated with existential agency. Married Americans are more likely to report high levels of existential agency than Americans who never married or are divorced, separated, or widowed.
- Belief in the American Dream is strongly associated with existential agency. Some 81% of Americans who believe they have achieved the American Dream and 72% of those who believe they are on their way to achieving the American Dream agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life. Only 44% of those who believe the American Dream is out of reach agree or strongly agree that they have the power to live a meaningful life.
Clay Routledge, PhD, is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute. As a leading expert in existential psychology, his work focuses on helping people reach their full potential and build meaningful lives. Follow his work @clayroutledge and subscribe to his newsletter, Flourishing Fridays.
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