Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the meaning in life questionnaire among sergeants

Abstract

Objective To examine the reliability and validity of the meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ) in Chinese sergeants. Methods Convenience sampling was applied to collect data from 574 sergeants. Part of the data randomly selected (n=278) was conducted exploratory factor analysis and the other (n=296) was used in confirmatory factor analysis. The satisfaction with life scale(SWLS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)were administered to test the criterion-related validity. Results (1) Exploratory factor analysis vertified a 2-factor model which consisted of presence of meaning (MLQ-P) and search for meaning (MLQ-S), and their cumulative contribution rate was 61.02%.The range of factor loading was between 0.62 and 0.85.Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the hypothesized 2-factor model (χ2=32.82, GFI=0.97, AGFI=0.94, NFI=0.96, CFI=0.98, RMSEA=0.06). (2) The internal consistencies were good for the overall scale (Cronbach's alpha=0.79) and the subscales (Cronbach's alpha=0.80 and 0.78, respectively). (3)MLQ-P score was positively correlated with SWLS (r=0.21, P<0.01), while negatively correlated with SDS and SAS(r=-0.50, -0.43). MLQ-S had positive correlation with MLQ-P(r=0.31, P<0.01). (4)Scores of MLQ-P and MLQ-S in sergeants were higher than college students(t=38.13, P<0.001, t=25.07, P<0.001). Conclusion The Chinese version of MLQ is reliable and valid for application to Chinese sergeants. Key words: Meaning in life; Reliability; Validity; Sergeants