A Confirmatory Factor-Analytic Evaluation of the Purpose in Life Test: Preliminary Psychometric Support for a Replicable Two-Factor Model

This study’s purpose was to use confirmatory factor analysis to compare published factor-analytic models of the 20-item Purpose in Life test (PIL) to identify the one that provides the best fit to the data. To date many different models have been described, with limited evidence to support whether t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of happiness studies 2010-03, Vol.11 (1), p.95-111
Main Authors: Schulenberg, Stefan E., Melton, Amanda M. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Discriminant analysis
Economics
Eigenvalues
Happiness
Personality and Social Psychology
Philosophy
Positive Psychology
Psychological tests
Quality of Life Research
Quantitative psychology
Research Paper
Social Sciences
Southern States
United States of America
Universities
Validity
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Summary:This study’s purpose was to use confirmatory factor analysis to compare published factor-analytic models of the 20-item Purpose in Life test (PIL) to identify the one that provides the best fit to the data. To date many different models have been described, with limited evidence to support whether they are replicable. This study utilized data from undergraduates ( N  = 620) from a medium-sized university located in the southern United States. Ten different PIL models were tested, with support found for the two-factor model (exciting life, purposeful life) of Morgan and Farsides. Recommendations and implications for research are provided.
ISSN:1389-4978
1573-7780
DOI:10.1007/s10902-008-9124-3