Edited by Patrick L. Hill and Anthony L. Burrow
Contributor(s): Emily Willroth
Published by Cambridge University Press November 20, 2025
Since the pandemic, many have been reflecting on their path, direction, and identity, all tied to a deeper question: What is one's purpose in life? Research reveals that understanding this purpose can significantly impact well-being, health, and personal development.
This volume offers fresh insights by bringing together scholars from various fields to explore purpose from different angles. Each contributor delves into what purpose means and why individuals with a clear sense of it often enjoy better health, financial stability, and cognitive well-being. While this book won't define your life's purpose, it offers rich material to guide your personal journey.
About the authors
Patrick L. Hill received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame, and BA from Indiana University. Currently, he is a professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. His research program examines how to cultivate a life direction and purpose that promotes adaptive lifespan development.
Anthony L. Burrow received his PhD from Florida International University, and BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Currently, he is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Cornell University. His research investigates how a sense of purpose serves as a psychological resource, particularly in the lives of adolescents and young adults.
