Measuring the purpose in life in the adult population: A scoping review

Background: The purpose in life can motivate individuals to realize that life is essential for
existence and well-being. Adults might experience crises that can lead to a lack of purpose in
life. Consequently, promoting purpose in life is necessary, but it requires a suitable
measurement scale.
Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify and map the content, psychometric
properties, and answer option scales of instruments intended to measure purpose in life in
adult populations.
Design: A scoping review was employed.
Data Sources: The database used was PubMed. The libraries were APA PsycNet, Wiley
Online Library, and Cochrane Library. The search strategy was performed between 1
November 2023 and 14 February 2024.
Review Methods: This review used the scoping review framework described by Arksey and
O’Malley. The identified instruments were assessed for quality based on the COnsensus‐
based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) criteria. This
study also used the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting
guideline.
Results: A total of 348 studies were identified, and seven articles were involved in the final
synthesis. These seven articles included five instruments measuring the concept of purpose
in life, of which two instruments had two versions: 1) Purpose in Life Test (20 items, 4 items);
2) Life Engagement Test (6 items); 3) Psychological Well-Being (120 items, 18 items); 4) SelfAssessment Goal Achievement (9 items); and 5) National Institutes of Health Tuberculosis
Meaning and Purpose Scale Age 18+
(18 items). The validity of all instruments was tested
using factor analysis, known groups, face, concurrent, convergent, discriminant, and construct
validity. The reliability of four instruments was tested by Cronbach’s alpha and SpearmanBrown formula.
Conclusion: Five instruments measuring purpose in life in the adult population with adequate
psychometric properties were identified. The clinical implication of this study suggests that
nurses may consider employing an appropriate instrument to assess the purpose of life in the
adult population, thus enabling them to offer holistic, individualized care to adults, particularly
addressing the spiritual dimension.