IPPA’s SMD Division Presents: Transcending Boredom: How Self-Transcendent Emotions Reduce Boredom Through Meaning in Life
Speaker: Dr. Muireann O'Dea
Date & Times: November 26 | 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT/6:00pm GMT)
Member Price: $0
Non Member Price: $25
Access: Open to all
Event Type: virtual
Boredom is a pervasive emotion, linked to many negative psychological and behavioral outcomes, from depression to aggression. While research demonstrating its problematic consequences is mounting, we still know very little about how individuals can cope with boredom in daily life. Research suggests that a strong sense of meaning in life can buffer against boredom. We propose that self-transcendent emotions—a subcategory of positive emotions that decrease self-focus and increase feelings of connection—promote a sense of meaning in life. In this talk, Dr. O’Dea will present evidence from cross-sectional, experimental, and experience sampling studies suggesting that self-transcendent emotions (such as awe and gratitude) predict less boredom by promoting meaning in life, with important practical implications for overall well-being.
About the speaker:
Dr. Muireann O’Dea is a postdoctoral researcher in social psychology at the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany. Her research focuses on how positive emotional experiences foster meaning and buffer against meaning threats. She earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Limerick, Ireland, where she was awarded an Irish Research Council doctoral scholarship.
The SMD Scientific Speaker Series is hosted by the Spirituality & Meaning Division.
Register today! Registration ends November 24, 2025!