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Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)
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About Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)
Scale Name
Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)
Author Details
Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M.
Translation Availability
Many Lanuages
Background/Description
The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), developed by Steger and colleagues in 2006, is a widely used tool to measure two key aspects of meaning in life: the presence of meaning and the search for meaning. This 10-item questionnaire is designed to assess an individual’s sense of purpose, significance, and the pursuit of understanding in life. It has gained global recognition, with translations in over 30 languages, and is used in fields like psychology, counseling, public health, and population studies. Due to its simplicity and accessibility, the MLQ has been instrumental in various studies worldwide, offering insights into how meaning contributes to well-being, resilience, and life satisfaction.
Meaning in Life Questionnaire was developed by Steger, Frazier, Oishi, and Kaler (2006). The scale consisted of ten items. The scale is based on a seven-point Likert type scale. The response categories range from 1 absolutely untrue to 7 for absolutely true. The alpha coefficients reported by the authors for MLQ–P and MLQ–S are .86 and .92 representing good internal consistency respectively.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- The MLQ can be administered as part of research, therapeutic assessments, or educational settings, either in person or online.
- Participants are informed that the assessment helps explore their perceptions of meaning in life and their pursuit of personal understanding.
- The MLQ consists of 10 items: 5 items assess the Presence of Meaning (e.g., “I understand my life’s meaning”), and 5 items assess the Search for Meaning (e.g., “I am looking for something that makes my life feel meaningful”).
- Participants rate each item on a Likert scale (1 = Absolutely untrue to 7 = Absolutely true), with higher scores indicating greater meaning presence or search.
Reliability and Validity
- Reliability: The MLQ shows strong internal consistency, with alpha coefficients typically exceeding 0.80 for both the Presence and Search subscales.
- Validity: The MLQ demonstrates high convergent and discriminant validity. It correlates significantly with measures of life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and self-esteem, confirming its reliability as a measure of life meaning.
Available Versions
10-Items
Reference
Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The meaning in life questionnaire: assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of counseling psychology, 53(1), 80.
Steger, M. F., & Shin, J. Y. (2010). The relevance of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire to therapeutic practice: A look at the initial evidence. In International Forum for Logotherapy. Viktor Frankl Inst of Logotherapy.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the MLQ measure?
The MLQ assesses both the presence of and search for meaning in life, giving insights into personal purpose and the desire for life understanding.
Who can benefit from the MLQ?
Clinicians, researchers, and counselors can use the MLQ to explore meaning in life in both clinical and research settings.
How is the MLQ scored?
Each subscale (Presence and Search) is scored separately by summing the item responses, with higher scores indicating a greater presence or search for meaning.
In what languages is the MLQ available?
The MLQ has been translated into over 30 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, and Urdu, making it suitable for cross-cultural studies.
Can the MLQ be used in research?
Yes, the MLQ is widely used in academic and population-based research to study the significance of meaning in life across various demographics.
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