The Life Regard Index: Reliability and Validity
This study investigated the reliability and factorial validity of the Life Regard Index, a measure of meaning in life. Principal component factor analyses performed on the responses of 122 undergraduate psychology students, gave two factors, fulfillment and framework, confirming the theoretical structure. Alpha estimates of internal consistency of the factor scales ranged from satisfactory to good. Analysis supports the predicted moderate negative correlations with anxiety, hostility and depression and a positive correlation with elation. Discriminant validity was good: the index discriminated persons who are happy and satisfied with their lives from unhappy and dissatisfied ones. A clear philosophy of life, education, and psychological counseling correlated significantly with the degree of meaning in life. The use of the instrument in further research is recommended.