Table 1.

Meaning in life measures Wave 5 and Wave 6

Values—Wave 5 (M = 10.282; SD = 1.314;minimum = 5; maximum = 12) Wave 6 (M = 10.752; SD = 1.379; minimum = 4; maximum = 12)a

I have a system of values and beliefs that guide my daily activities

I have a philosophy of life that helps me understand who I am

I have really come to terms with what is important in life

Purpose—Wave 5 (M = 13.464; SD = 2.414; minimum = 4; maximum = 16) Wave 6 (M = 13.249; SD = 2.669; minimum = 4; maximum = 16)

In terms of my life, I see a reason for being here

I feel like I am living fully

I feel like I have found a really significant meaning in my life

I have discovered a satisfying life purpose

Goals—Wave 5 (M = 10.159; SD = 1.819; minimum = 3; maximum = 12) Wave 6 (M = 9.916; SD = 2.100; minimum = 3; maximum = 12)

In my life, I have clear goals and aims

I have a sense of direction and purpose in life

I have a good sense of what I am trying to accomplish in the rest of my life

Reconciling the Past—Wave 5 (M = 13.866; SD = 1.986; minimum = 6; maximum = 16) Wave 6 (M = 13.897; SD = 2.000; minimum = 6; maximum = 16)

I feel good when I think about what I have done in the past

I find it satisfying to think about what I have accomplished in life

I am able to make sense of the unpleasant things that have happened in the past

I am at peace with my past

Life Makes Sense—Wave 5 (M = 13.401; SD = 2.087; minimum = 6; maximum = 16) Wave 6 (M = 13.267; SD = 2.129; minimum = 5; maximum = 16)

I’m able to understand myself fairly well

I’m usually able to understand why other people do the things they do

Most of the things that happen in life happen for a reason

I’m able to make sense of most of most of the things that happen in my life

Identical measures of each dimension of meaning were administered in the Wave 5 and Wave 6 surveys

^aAll the meaning items were scored in the following way (coding in parenthesis): disagree strongly (1), disagree somewhat (2), agree somewhat (3), agree strongly (4)