Evidence of Validity of the Purpose in Life Test among Southern Brazilian School Adolescents

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/23590777.rs.v23i1.e12728

Keywords:

teenagers, logotherapy, meaning, test validity, test accuracy

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the validity evidence of the Revised Purpose in Life Test (PIL-Test R) for the population of Brazilian adolescent students. 748 students from 13 to 19 years old participated in the study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes were used, which indicated models with adequate adjustment indices and satisfactory coefficients for the final model, consisting of 16 items and two factors (α = 0.80; ωt = 0.93) with eight items in each factor; existential emptiness (α = 0.77; ωt = 0.91) and meaning of life (α = 0.69; ωt = 0.81). The scale showed a significant negative correlation with the General Health Questionnaire (r = -0.46, p ≤ 0.01), given that lower averages indicate better psychological well-being, and a positive correlation with the Life Satisfaction Scale, in terms of life domains (r = 0.42, p ≤ 0.01) and general life satisfaction item (r = 0.40, p ≤ 0.01). The results reveal that the PIL-Test R is suitable for assessing the purpose of life among adolescents. 

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Author Biographies

Sheila Gonçalves Câmara, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre - UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Doutora em Psicologia e Mestra em Psicologia Social e da Personalidade pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica – Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Professora do Departamento de Psicologia e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia e Saúde da Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA).

Miriam Raquel Wachholz Strelhow, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo - PUC-SP, São Paulo, Brasil

Psicóloga. Doutora e Mestra em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).  Professora do Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento da Pontifícia Universidade Católica - São Paulo (PUC-SP).

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Published

2023-12-01

How to Cite

Câmara, S. G., & Strelhow, M. R. W. (2023). Evidence of Validity of the Purpose in Life Test among Southern Brazilian School Adolescents. Revista Subjetividades, 23(1), e12728. https://doi.org/10.5020/23590777.rs.v23i1.e12728

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