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Meaning in Life in earlier and later older-adulthood: Confirmatory factor analysis and correlates of the meaning in life questionnaire
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posted on 2018-01-01, 00:00 authored by David HallfordDavid Hallford, David MellorDavid Mellor, Robert CumminsRobert Cummins, M P McCabeObjective: 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.
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Journal
Journal of Applied GerontologyVolume
37Issue
10Pagination
1270 - 1294Publisher DOI
ISSN
0733-4648eISSN
1552-4523Publication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2016, The Author(s)Usage metrics
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