Abstract This study investigated the mediating effect of meaning in life on the relationship between personal growth initiative and subjective well-being. The sample was composed of a total of 1,899 Brazilian participants who voluntarily took part in this study by completing the study survey. Based on the results of the structural equation modeling, the relationship between personal growth initiative and subjective well-being was found to be partially mediated by the presence of meaning in life. Age was found to influence the mediation, as older participants reported greater personal growth initiative and meaning in their lives. Limitations of the study, as well as directions for future research are discussed.