The DOI matches its Crossref record; 70 of the 73 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life
Abstract
To address conceptual difficulties and advance research on meaning in life (MIL), it may be useful to adopt a tripartite view of meaning as consisting of comprehension, purpose, and mattering. This paper discusses the development of the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS), which explicitly assesses these three subconstructs. Results from three samples of undergraduates showed the MEMS to have favorable psychometric properties (e.g. good factor structure and reliability) and demonstrated that it can effectively differentiate the three subconstructs of meaning. Regression and relative importance analyses showed that each MEMS subscale carried predictive power for relevant variables and other meaning measures. Additionally, the MEMS subscales demonstrated theoretically consistent, differential associations with other variables (e.g. dogmatism, behavioral activation, and spirituality). Overall, results suggest that the MEMS may offer more conceptual precision than existing measures, and it may open new avenues of research and facilitate a more nuanced understanding of MIL.
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“The three MEMS subscales showed adequate internal consistency: Comprehension (ϖ = 91), Purpose (ϖ = 92), and Mattering (ϖ = 86).”
From Spanish Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Participants With Cancer: Study Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
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George, L. S., & Park, C. L. (2016) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/gpr0000077 · Cited by 682
Self-citationThe Science of Meaning in Life
King, L. A., & Hicks, J. A. (2020) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-072420-122921 · Cited by 633
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Metadata
- Authors
- George, L. S., & Park, C. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Connecticut (US)
- Corresponding author
- George, Login S.
- Venue
- The Journal of Positive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-07-26
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 613-627
- ISSN
- 1743-9760 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9779
- OpenAlex
- W2504320773
- Cited by
- 379
- References
- 73
- Citations by year
- 2026: 36 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 19.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Positive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Keywords
- meaning in life, existential meaning, purpose, mattering, comprehension, scale development, psychometric properties, dogmatism, behavioral activation, spirituality, relative importance analysis
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