Meaning in life in earlier and later older-adulthood: Confirmatory factor analysis and correlates of the meaning in life questionnaire

Journal article


Hallford, David J., Mellor, David, Cummins, Robert A., McCabe and marita.mccabe@acu.edu.au, Marita P. McCabe. (2018). Meaning in life in earlier and later older-adulthood: Confirmatory factor analysis and correlates of the meaning in life questionnaire. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 37(10), pp. 1270 - 1294. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464816658750
AuthorsHallford, David J., Mellor, David, Cummins, Robert A., McCabe and marita.mccabe@acu.edu.au, Marita P. McCabe
Abstract

Objective: 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.

Keywordsmeaning in life; older adults; factor analysis; measurement invariance; well-being
Year2018
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Journal citation37 (10), pp. 1270 - 1294
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc.
ISSN0733-4648
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464816658750
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85053339559
Page range1270 - 1294
Research GroupInstitute for Health and Ageing
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited States of America
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/88495/meaning-in-life-in-earlier-and-later-older-adulthood-confirmatory-factor-analysis-and-correlates-of-the-meaning-in-life-questionnaire

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 128
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Behavioral symptoms of dementia that present management difficulties in nursing homes: Staff perceptions and their concordance with informant scales
Davison, Tanya E., McCabe, Marita P., Bird, Michael, Mellor, David, MacPherson, Sarah, Hallford, David, Seedy, Melissa and O'Connor, Daniel W.. (2017). Behavioral symptoms of dementia that present management difficulties in nursing homes: Staff perceptions and their concordance with informant scales. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 43(1), pp. 34 - 43. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20160928-01
Ecological model of Australian Indigenous men's health
McCabe, Marita Patricia, Mellor, David, Ricciardelli, Lina A., Mussap, Alexander J. and Hallford, David John. (2016). Ecological model of Australian Indigenous men's health. American Journal of Men's Health. 10(6), pp. N63 - N70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988315583086
The association between anxiety and falls: A meta-analysis
Hallford, David John, Nicholson, Geoffrey Charles, Sanders, Kerrie and McCabe, Marita Patricia. (2016). The association between anxiety and falls: A meta-analysis. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences. 00(00), pp. 1 - 13. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbv160
An Updated Review of Interventions that Include Promotion of Physical Activity for Adult Men
Bottorff, Marita, Bird, Michael, Davison, Tanya, Mellor, David, MacPherson, Sarah, Hallford, David and Seedy, Melissa. (2015). An Updated Review of Interventions that Include Promotion of Physical Activity for Adult Men. Sports Medicine: reviews of applied medicine and science in sport and exercise. 19(9), pp. 799 - 807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0286-3
Staff compliance with protocols to improve the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Mellor, David, McCabe, Marita, Bird, Michael, Davison, Tanya, MacPherson, Sarah, Hallford, David and Seedy, Melissa. (2015). Staff compliance with protocols to improve the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 41(2), pp. 44 - 52. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20140701-01
Sexting prevalence and correlates: A systematic literature review
Klettke, Bianca, Hallford, David John and Mellor, David J.. (2014). Sexting prevalence and correlates: A systematic literature review. Clinical Psychology Review. 34(1), pp. 44 - 53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.10.007
Barriers to the detection and management of depression by palliative care professional carers among their patients : Perspectives from professional carers and patients' family members
Mellor, David, McCabe, Marita, Davison, Tanya, Goldhammer, Denisa and Hallford, David. (2013). Barriers to the detection and management of depression by palliative care professional carers among their patients : Perspectives from professional carers and patients' family members. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care. 30(1), pp. 12 - 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909112438705
Cognitive-reminiscence therapy and usual care for depression in young adults: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Hallford, David John and Mellor, David. (2013). Cognitive-reminiscence therapy and usual care for depression in young adults: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 14(1), pp. 1 - 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-343
Barriers to the Detection and Management of Depression by Palliative Care Professional Carers Among Their Patients : Perspectives From Professional Carers and Patients' Family Members
Mellor, David, McCabe, Marita Patricia, Davison, Tanya E., Goldhammer, Denisa L. and Hallford, David J.. (2013). Barriers to the Detection and Management of Depression by Palliative Care Professional Carers Among Their Patients : Perspectives From Professional Carers and Patients' Family Members. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care. 30(1), pp. 12 - 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909112438705
Evaluation of a training program to assist care staff to better recognize and manage depression among palliative care patients and their families
McCabe, Marita, Goldhammer, Denisa, Mellor, David, Hallford, David and Davison, Tanya. (2012). Evaluation of a training program to assist care staff to better recognize and manage depression among palliative care patients and their families. Journal of Palliative Care. 28(2), pp. 75 - 82.
Detecting and managing depressed patients : Palliative care nurses' self-efficacy and perceived barriers to care
McCabe, Marita, Mellor, David, Davison, Tanya, Hallford, David and Goldhammer, Denisa. (2012). Detecting and managing depressed patients : Palliative care nurses' self-efficacy and perceived barriers to care. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 15(4), pp. 463 - 467. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2011.0388