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Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)

Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) is a 10-item instrument designed to measure the respondent's sense made of, and significance felt, regarding the nature of one's being and existence. This measure includes two subscales, Presence and Search.

Categories

Geographies Tested: United States of America

Populations Included: Female, Male

Age Range: Adults

Items:

Presence
1. I understand my life's meaning.
2. My life has a clear sense of purpose.
3. I have a good sense of what makes my life meaningful.
4. I have discovered a satisfying life purpose.
5. My life has no clear purpose.*

Search
6. I am looking for something that makes my life feel meaningful.
7. I am always looking to find my life's purpose.
8. I am always searching for something that makes my life feel significant.
9. I am seeking a purpose or mission for my life.
10. I am searching for meaning in my life.

Response Options:
Absolutely untrue - 1
Mostly untrue - 2
Somewhat untrue - 3
Can't say true or false - 4
Somewhat true - 5
Mostly true - 6
Absolutely true - 7

*Item is reverse scored.

Scoring Procedures

The mean score is calculated for each of the two subscales.

Original Citation

Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The meaning in life questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80-93. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.80


Psychometric Score

Ease of Use Score

Scoring breakdown

Formative Research

Qualitative Research

Existing Literature/Theoretical Framework

Field Expert Input

Cognitive Interviews / Pilot Testing

Reliability

Internal

Test-retest

Interrater

Validity

Content

Face

Criterion (gold-standard)

Construct

KEY

Ease of Use

Readability

Scoring Clarity

Length

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