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Meaning in Life in earlier and later older-adulthood: Confirmatory factor analysis and correlates of the meaning in life questionnaire

Version 2 2024-06-03, 18:21
Version 1 2016-09-08, 11:22
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 18:21 authored by David HallfordDavid Hallford, David MellorDavid Mellor, Robert CumminsRobert Cummins, MP McCabe
Objective: To validate the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in earlier and later older-adulthood, and examine its correlates. Method: Participants in earlier ( n = 341, M age = 68.5) and later older-adulthood ( n = 341, M age = 78.6) completed the MLQ and other measures. Confirmatory multigroup analysis, correlations, and regression models were conducted. Results: A two-factor (presence and search), eight-item model of the MLQ had a good fit and was age-invariant. Presence and search for meaning were largely unrelated. Meaning was associated with life satisfaction, well-being across a range of domains, and psychological resources. Searching for meaning correlated negatively with these variables, but to a lesser degree in later older-adulthood. Discussion: The MLQ is valid in older-adulthood. Meaning in life is psychologically adaptive in older-adulthood. Searching for meaning appears less important, especially in later older-adulthood. Findings are discussed in the context of aging and psychosocial development.

History

Journal

Journal of Applied Gerontology

Volume

37

Season

In Press

Pagination

1270-1294

Location

United States

ISSN

0733-4648

eISSN

1552-4523

Language

English

Publication classification

C Journal article, C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2016, The Author(s)

Issue

10

Publisher

SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC