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The Psychological Experience of Mattering: Associations with Social Support and Purpose in
Life Among South African Adults
Abstract
The psychological experience of mattering—the perception of being significant and important to
others—has been increasingly recognised as fundamental to human well-being, yet its systematic
investigation within the South African context remains limited. This study examined the
relationships between mattering, perceived social support, and purpose in life among South African
adults. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from a convenience
sample of 250 South African adults aged 18 years and older. Participants completed the General
Mattering Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Purpose in Life
Test-Short Form. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted
to test two research hypotheses. Consistent with expectations, perceived social support was
positively and significantly associated with mattering, and mattering was positively and significantly
associated with purpose in life. These findings suggest that social support serves as an important
relational resource for fostering mattering, which in turn contributes to individuals' sense of purpose
and meaning. The results extend the applicability of mattering research to the South African context
and highlight the potential value of interventions aimed at enhancing social connectedness and
recognition of significance. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-report
measures, and limited generalisability due to convenience sampling.
Introduction
The psychological experience of mattering has increasingly been recognised as a fundamental
component of human well-being, yet its systematic investigation within the South African context
remains limited. Mattering, defined as the perception of being significant and important to others,
encompasses beliefs about being noticed, cared about, and depended upon by significant individuals
in one's social environment (Rosenberg & McCullough, 1981; Flett, 2025).
While international research has robustly demonstrated that mattering is associated with favourable
mental health outcomes, enhanced well-being, and prosocial behaviour, the applicability of these
findings to post-colonial, developing nations such as South Africa is underexplored. The enduring
legacy of apartheid-era systemic dehumanisation, structural inequality, and collective trauma
continues to shape the lived experiences of many South Africans, raising critical questions about
how individuals in this context come to feel that they matter, or conversely, that they are invisible
and unimportant (Penxa-Matholeni, 2025; Radebe, 2025).
If more knowledge were generated about the factors that influence and are influenced by mattering
within South African populations, mental health interventions could be more precisely targeted,
social cohesion initiatives could be strengthened, and community-based healing practices could be
informed by culturally grounded evidence. The proposed research project aims to address this gap by
examining the relationships between mattering and two specific psychological factors derived from
the preselected list for this project: social support and purpose in life. Specifically, this study will
explore how perceived social support from family, friends, and the community relates to individuals'
sense of mattering, and how mattering itself relates to a sense of purpose in life. These relationships
will be scientifically explored using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design with a sample of
South African adults.
The Psychological Experience of Mattering: Associations with Social Support and Purpose in
Life Among South African Adults
Abstract
The psychological experience of mattering—the perception of being significant and important to
others—has been increasingly recognised as fundamental to human well-being, yet its systematic
investigation within the South African context remains limited. This study examined the
relationships between mattering, perceived social support, and purpose in life among South African
adults. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from a convenience
sample of 250 South African adults aged 18 years and older. Participants completed the General
Mattering Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Purpose in Life
Test-Short Form. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted
to test two research hypotheses. Consistent with expectations, perceived social support was
positively and significantly associated with mattering, and mattering was positively and significantly
associated with purpose in life. These findings suggest that social support serves as an important
relational resource for fostering mattering, which in turn contributes to individuals' sense of purpose
and meaning. The results extend the applicability of mattering research to the South African context
and highlight the potential value of interventions aimed at enhancing social connectedness and
recognition of significance. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-report
measures, and limited generalisability due to convenience sampling.
Introduction
The psychological experience of mattering has increasingly been recognised as a fundamental
component of human well-being, yet its systematic investigation within the South African context
remains limited. Mattering, defined as the perception of being significant and important to others,
encompasses beliefs about being noticed, cared about, and depended upon by significant individuals
in one's social environment (Rosenberg & McCullough, 1981; Flett, 2025).
While international research has robustly demonstrated that mattering is associated with favourable
mental health outcomes, enhanced well-being, and prosocial behaviour, the applicability of these
findings to post-colonial, developing nations such as South Africa is underexplored. The enduring
legacy of apartheid-era systemic dehumanisation, structural inequality, and collective trauma
continues to shape the lived experiences of many South Africans, raising critical questions about
how individuals in this context come to feel that they matter, or conversely, that they are invisible
and unimportant (Penxa-Matholeni, 2025; Radebe, 2025).
If more knowledge were generated about the factors that influence and are influenced by mattering
within South African populations, mental health interventions could be more precisely targeted,
social cohesion initiatives could be strengthened, and community-based healing practices could be
informed by culturally grounded evidence. The proposed research project aims to address this gap by
examining the relationships between mattering and two specific psychological factors derived from
the preselected list for this project: social support and purpose in life. Specifically, this study will
explore how perceived social support from family, friends, and the community relates to individuals'
sense of mattering, and how mattering itself relates to a sense of purpose in life. These relationships
will be scientifically explored using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design with a sample of
South African adults.
