Autonomy, Meaning, and the Mediating Role of Symbolic Immortality.

This article investigates the mediating role of symbolic immortality—the belief that one's impact will endure beyond death—in the relationship between autonomy and meaning in life (MIL). Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT) and terror management theory (TMT), the study analyzed data from two large samples of American college students and found that autonomy, defined as self-directed and volitional functioning, is significantly associated with symbolic immortality, which in turn is linked to greater MIL. Multiple regression analyses showed that autonomy uniquely predicts symbolic immortality even after controlling for self-esteem, suggesting that autonomous functioning may provide an internal and durable basis for existential security beyond general self-worth. The findings highlight the potential existential function of autonomy in managing death-related concerns and suggest directions for future research on how autonomous engagement supports different modes of symbolic immortality and meaning across diverse populations.