The Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE): Validation of a New Instrument for Meaning-in-Life Research

Abstract

The Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE) is a respondent-generated instrument for the assessment of individual meaning in life (MiL). In the SMiLE, the respondents list three to seven areas that provide meaning to their lives before rating the current level of importance and satisfaction of each area. Indices of total weighting (IoW; range, 20–100), total satisfaction (IoS; range, 0–100), and total weighted satisfaction (IoWS; range, 0–100) are calculated. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and psychometric properties of this newly developed instrument in its German and English versions. A total of 599 students of the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich and the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, took part in the study (response rate, 95.4%). The mean IoW was 85.7 ± 9.4, the mean IoS was 76.7 ± 14.3, and the mean IoWS was 77.7 ± 14.2. The instrument was neither distressing (1.3 ± 1.9) nor time-consuming (1.9 ± 1.9), as assessed by numeric rating scales (range, 0–10). Test–retest reliability of the IoWS was r = 0.72 ( P < 0.001); 85.6% of all areas were listed again after a test–retest period of seven days. Convergent validity was demonstrated with the Purpose in Life test ( r = 0.48, P < 0.001), the Self-Transcendence Scale ( r = 0.34, P < 0.001), and a general numeric rating scale on MiL ( r = 0.53, P < 0.001). There was no correlation of the SMiLE with the Idler Index of Religiosity. Preliminary data indicate good feasibility and acceptability of the SMiLE in palliative care patients. The psychometrics of the SMiLE are reported according to the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust.