Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Purpose in life is a central motivational construct that has a profound influence on wellbeing. However, existing measures lack the breadth and precision needed to accurately capture this complex construct. In the present study, we aimed to develop a new measure rooted in a holistic, systems-based theoretical framework of purpose in life: the 18-item Multidimensional Measure of Purpose in Life II (MMOP-II). In Study 1, our confirmatory factor analyses in a sample of 303 university students (female = 82.5.%, white = 78.5%) supported a strong five-factor higher-order model fit, outperforming the three-factor and unidimensional alternatives. The Study 2 results replicated these findings in a sample of 290 community adults (female = 54%, white = 76.6%). The results from Study 2 also showed that the MMOP-II correlated with concurrent, convergent, and divergent validity measures in theoretically consistent ways. Across both studies, internal consistency reliability met adequate thresholds for all subscales as well as the total MMOP-II score. Overall, our results support purpose in life as a coherent, higher-order construct measurable by the MMOP-II. Future research should aim to examine the test–retest reliability of the MMOP-II and its generalizability in diverse samples.
Keywords
measurement, multidimensional, psychometric, purpose in life, questionnaire, wellbeing
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
9-1-2026
Article Number
1137
E-ISSN
16604601
ISSN
16617827
Volume
23
Issue
9
Publication Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI
School
Centre for Precision Health / School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
100670
Funding Information
This research was supported by the Commonwealth through an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Fang, L., Allan, A., & Dickson, J. M. (2026). Development and psychometric validation of the Multidimensional Measure of Purpose in Life II (MMOP-II). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(9), Article 1137. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091137