Purpose in life and grip strength: An individual-participant meta-analysis of 115,972 participants from 24 countries across four continents.

Abstract

This research examines the replicability and generalizability of the association between purpose in life and grip strength. An individual-participant meta-analysis of 27 samples (total N=115,972) from 24 countries that spanned four continents (Asia, Europe, North and South America) with self-reported purpose in life and dynamometer-assessed grip strength. Purpose in life was associated with stronger grip strength in every sample and aggregated in a random-effects meta-analysis (meta-analytic estimate=.06, p<.001). The association was similar across samples from different world regions and not moderated by methodological factors (e.g., scale content). The association was apparent across age, sex, race, and education and slightly stronger among males and participants with relatively less education. Every standard deviation in purpose was associated with a 23% lower likelihood of weak grip strength (meta-analytic OR=.81, 95% CI=.79-.84, p<.001) based on a standard threshold. Purpose in life is associated with grip strength, a marker of overall musculoskeletal health. The association replicates across diverse locations around the world and generalizes across sociodemographic groups.