title: Meaning in Life in Earlier and Later Older-Adulthood: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Correlates of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire.
abstract: To validate the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in earlier and later older-adulthood, and examine its correlates.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: 1 Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hallford
authors.affiliation: 2 Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.affiliation: 2 Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.affiliation: 1 Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McCabe
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026712:Value of Life
keywords: factor analysis; meaning in life; measurement invariance; older adults; well-being