ISSEP-2025-11

GRANT ID#: ISSEP-2025-11

GRANT TITLE: Understanding the impact of ostracism on meaning in life

GRANTEE: RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Muireann Kate O’Dea

CO-PRIMARY INVESTIGATORS: Selma Carolin Rudert, Wijnand Adriaan Pieter Van Tilburg

GRANT AMOUNT: USD $3,000

DURATION OF GRANT PROJECT: April 15, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Description of the Project

 

Executive summary:

This project investigates the impact of ostracism on meaning in life, addressing key gaps in existing empirical evidence. Social connections are widely believed to infuse life with meaning, a central concept in existential psychology. Ostracism, however, poses a profound threat to this meaning by disrupting essential psychological needs. While researchers have proposed that ostracism diminishes meaning, this claim is surprisingly insufficiently substantiated. First, we will replicate two studies suggesting a relation between ostracism and meaning in life (Stillman et al., 2011; Chen et al., 2020) using two high-powered and culturally diverse samples to ensure robust conclusions. Building on those findings, we will investigate how ostracism affects different components of meaning—significance, purpose, and coherence. Finally, we will address a significant gap in the literature by investigating the longitudinal effects of ostracism on meaning in life. This project will deepen understanding of ostracism’s existential impact and inform interventions to promote well-being.

 

Itemized budget:

Grant funding will cover the expenses detailed below:

  • Study 1a. 400 participants for a 5-minute study, remunerated at $1 each (P*). $571.43.

  • Study 1b. 400 participants for a 5-minute study, remunerated at $0.25 each (BS*). $180.

  • Study 2. 400 participants for an 8-minute study, remunerated at $1.50 each (P*). $666.67.

  • Study 3. T1: 500 participants for a 5-minute study, remunerated at $1 each (P*). T2: 500 participants for a 5-minute study, remunerated at $1.10 each (P*). $733.33.

The total cost is estimated at $3,004.76, and the amount approved for this project is USD $3,000.

Kenneth Vail