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Purpose in Life Scale
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About Purpose in Life Scale
Scale Name
Purpose in Life Scale
Author Details
David H. Robbins and Leslie J. Francis
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
Robbins and Francis (2000) developed the Purpose in Life Scale (PILS) as a new measure of purpose in life. It differs from the Purpose in Life Test in two key ways:
The PILS assesses a more narrowly defined concept of purpose in life.
The PILS consists of 12 Likert-type items rated on a five-point scale, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
In their initial study of 517 first-year undergraduate students, Robbins and Francis (2000) reported a high alpha coefficient of .90 for the PILS, indicating good internal consistency reliability. They also explored the construct validity of the PILS by examining its correlations with the three personality dimensions measured by the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Eysenck, Eysenck, & Barrett, 1985): extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.
The Eysenckian model of personality proposes that neurotic and psychotic disorders are continuous with normal personality traits. Thus, the neuroticism scale is understood to progress from emotional stability through emotional lability to neurotic disorder, and the psychoticism scale is understood to progress from tendermindedness through toughmindedness to psychotic disorder.
On the basis of this model, Robbins and Francis (2000) hypothesized that purpose in life would be negatively correlated with both psychoticism and neuroticism scores, and positively correlated with extraversion scores. Their data supported all three hypotheses.
In a subsequent study of 407 older Methodists, Francis, Jewell, and Robbins (2010) found similar results. The PILS had an alpha coefficient of .92, and it was positively correlated with extraversion (r = .23, p < .001) and negatively correlated with neuroticism (r = −.26, p < .001). However, the correlation with psychoticism was not significant (r = .04, ns).
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
The Purpose in Life Scale (PILS) is a self-report questionnaire that can be administered individually or in groups. It is typically administered in a paper-and-pencil format, but it can also be administered electronically.
To administer the PILS, simply distribute the questionnaire to the participants and instruct them to read each item carefully and indicate their level of agreement on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Once the participants have completed the questionnaire, you can score it by summing their responses to all items. Higher scores on the PILS indicate a greater sense of purpose in life.
Here are some additional tips for administering the PILS:
- Provide the participants with a quiet and comfortable place to complete the questionnaire.
- Allow the participants enough time to complete the questionnaire without feeling rushed.
- Answer any questions that the participants may have about the questionnaire.
- Reassure the participants that their responses are confidential.
Reliability and Validity
The Purpose in Life Scale (PILS) has been found to have high reliability and validity in various studies. The original foundation paper reported an alpha coefficient of .90. In a complementary study, Francis, Jewell, and Robbins (2010) conducted a study among 407 older Methodists, in which internal consistency reliability for the PILS was supported by an alpha coefficient of .92; construct validity was supported by a positive correlation with extraversion (r = .23, p < .001), and a negative correlation with neuroticism (r = −.26, p < .001) .
In a study conducted among 342 psychology students, Sillick and Cathcart (2014) reported good internal consistency reliability with an alpha coefficient of .91, and good construct validity in terms of a positive correlation with life satisfaction (r = .50, p < .001) . The PILS has also been found to have good reliability and validity in studies conducted among Catholic priests in Italy. Overall, the PILS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring an individual’s sense of purpose in life.
Available Versions
12-Items
20-Items
Reference
Francis, L. J., Crea, G., & McKenna, U. (2019). The Purpose-in-Life Scale (PILS): internal consistency reliability, concurrent validity and construct validity among Catholic priests in Italy. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22(6), 602-613.
Marsh, A., Smith, L., Piek, J., & Saunders, B. (2003). The purpose in life scale: Psychometric properties for social drinkers and drinkers in alcohol treatment. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 63(5), 859-871.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Purpose in Life Scale (PILS)?
The PILS is a instrument designed to measure an individual’s sense of purpose in life.
Who developed the PILS?
The PILS was developed by David H. Robbins and Leslie J. Francis in 2000.
What is the scoring system for the PILS?
The PILS is rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from “agree strongly” to “disagree strongly.”
What is the reliability of the PILS?
The PILS has been found to have high reliability, with alpha coefficients ranging from .90 to .92 in various studies.
What is the validity of the PILS?
The PILS has been found to have good construct validity in terms of its correlation with other measures of well-being, such as life satisfaction and extraversion.
What is the purpose of using the PILS?
The PILS is a useful tool for researchers and mental health professionals to assess an individual’s sense of purpose in life and its impact on their well-being.
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