Abstract

• Purpose
  The purpose of this study was to develop elderly meaning in life scale with high validity and reliability.
• Method
  The process of development of this scale were as follows. A conceptual framework composed of 4 phases of meaning in life of elderly was identified based on the literature review and interviews with elderlies and discussion with experts in meaning in life. Total 62 items, 4-points scale were developed. Through reliability testing, factor analysis, 40 preliminary items were selected. By means of internal consistency of 40 items, 2 items whose inner-items correlation coefficient was below .30 were deleted. Through factor analysis 1 item whose factor loading was below .30 was deleted. Finally 37 items were remained. To verify 37 items, factor analysis, reliability testing, LISEREL were done. Data were collected from 320 elderly subjects in Busan-KyungNam and Jeonla Province from May to June in 2002.. SPSS WIN. 10.0 Program was used.
• Result
  The result of factor analysis of 37 items, 8 factors were extracted. These factors were labeled as ‘ self- awareness and self-acceptance’, ‘ contentedness with life’, ‘ purpose in life’, ‘ love in family’, ‘ role awareness’, ‘ futuristic aspiration’, ‘ commitment’, and ‘ experience of love’. These factors included 4 phases of the meaning in life. Cronbach's Alpha of 37 items was .908 and correlation coefficient of PIL was .75.
• Conclusion
  The researchers recommend the follows : The explorative study on the variables related to meaning in life are needed for criterion validity of this scale. The studies on meaning in life of different age groups, subjects are needed for reverification.
• Keywords: Elderly; Meaning in life

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