Theoretically, purpose serves as a basic dimension of healthy psychological functioning and an important protective factor from psychopathology. Theory alone, however, is insufficient to answer critical questions about human behavior and functioning; we require empirical evidence that explores the parameters of purpose with respect to measurement, prediction, and modification. Here, we provide empirically supported insights about how purpose can operate as a beneficial outcome (e.g., marker of well-being), a predictor or mechanism that accounts for benefits that a person derives (such as from an intervention), or a moderator that offers insight into when benefits arise. Advancing the study of purpose requires careful consideration of how purpose is conceptualized, manipulated, and measured across the lifespan. Our aim is to help scientists understand, specify, and conduct high-quality studies of purpose in life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

中文翻译：

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人生目标：关于定义、概念模型和最佳测量的解决方案。

从理论上讲，目的是健康心理功能的基本维度，也是免受精神病理学影响的重要保护因素。然而，仅靠理论不足以回答有关人类行为和功能的关键问题。我们需要经验证据来探索与测量、预测和修改有关的目的参数。在这里，我们提供了经验支持的见解，说明目的如何作为有益的结果（例如，幸福的标志）、解释一个人获得的利益（例如从干预中）的预测因素或机制，或作为调节因素来运作提供有关收益何时出现的见解。推进目的研究需要仔细考虑在整个生命周期中如何概念化、操纵和衡量目的。我们的目标是帮助科学家理解、明确和开展关于人生目的的高质量研究。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2023 APA，保留所有权利）。