J Korean Acad Nurs.  2017 Feb;47(1):86-96. 10.4040/jkan.2017.47.1.86.

Development of the Meaning in Life Scale for Older Adults

• Lee SE
• Hong GR

• KMID: 2425939
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.1.86

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the newly developed instrument, Meaning in Life, for elderly Korean people.
METHODS
Ten older adults participated in the qualitative research used to develop the initial items. Participants for the psychometric testing were 371 community-dwelling older adults. Validity and reliability analyses included content, construct, and criterion-related validities, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.
RESULTS
The Meaning in Life Scale consisted of 12 items with three distinct factors; value of life, source of life, and will to live, which explained 86.7% of the total variance. A three-factor structure was validated by confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity was supported by comparison with the Purpose in Life Test (r=.74). Reliabilities were secured with test-retest reliability of Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) .85 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient .90.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that this instrument is useful to measure meaning in life in Korean elders.

Keyword

Aged; Life; Factor analysis; Validity and reliability

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Health Status
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Psychometrics
*Quality of Life
Social Class
Social Support
Suicidal Ideation
Surveys and Questionnaires

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