TitleThe Life Engagement Test: assessing purpose in life.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsScheier, MF, Wrosch, C, Baum, A, Cohen, S, Martire, LM, Matthews, KA, Schulz, R, Zdaniuk, B
JournalJ Behav Med
Volume29
Issue3
Pagination291-8
Date Published2006 Jun
ISSN0160-7715
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Ethnicity, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychometrics, Quality of Life, Social Behavior, Surveys and Questionnaires
Abstract

<p>This article describes a 6-item scale, the Life Engagement Test, designed to measure purpose in life, defined in terms of the extent to which a person engages in activities that are personally valued. Psychometric data are presented including information about the scale's factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant predictive validity, and norms. The data suggest that the Life Engagement Test is psychometrically sound across different gender, age, and ethnic groups and is appropriate for wider use. Discussion centers on the use of the Life Engagement Test in behavioral medicine and health psychology research and recent associations that have begun to emerge between the scale and health-relevant outcomes.</p>

DOI10.1007/s10865-005-9044-1
Alternate JournalJ Behav Med
PubMed ID16565785
Grant ListHL65111 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL65112 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL76852 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL76858 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States