Psychometric properties of the Purpose in Life Scale among undergraduate UK students

The Purpose in Life Scale (PILS) is a relatively new self-report measure of purpose in life. The present aim was to examine the internal reliability, construct validity, and temporal stability of the PILS. A sample of 158 UK university students completed the PILS on two occasions separated by seven-days and also the Purpose in Life Test – short-form (PILT-SF) and the Life Engagement Test (LET). Internal reliabilities for the PILS at both times 1 and 2 were satisfactory, and also for the PILT-SF and the LET. Data demonstrated that stability across the two administrations for the PILS was moderately high. Also, there were no significant differences in mean scores between time 1 and time 2 for the PILS. Higher scores on the PILS were significantly positively associated with higher scores on the PILT-SF and with higher scores on the LET. The PILS can be recommended for further use based on these psychometric properties.