Assessing meaning in life for gifted learners: Validation of a Chinese version of meaning in life in children questionnaire

ABSTRACT Meaning in Life Children Questionnaire (MIL-CQ) was developed with reference to Frankl’s meaning triangle that has dimensions of Attitude, Creativity, and Experience. The current study translated MIL-CQ into Chinese (MIL-CQ-C), and evaluated its psychometric properties in a sample of 264 upper primary and secondary school gifted students in Hong Kong. Dimensionality of MIL-CQ-C was investigated via exploratory factor analysis using the robust weighted least square estimator. Measurement invariance across gender was investigated. Convergent validity was evaluated by testing MIL-CQ-C as the mediator of social connectedness in predicting presence of meaning in life and search for meaning in life. After removal of three items, exploratory factor analysis supported the original 3-factor structure with substantial factor loadings (λ = 0.53–0.91) and good reliability (Ω = 0.85–0.92). The MIL-CQ-C showed scalar measurement invariance across gender. The MIL-CQ-C was positively correlated with social connectedness, presence of meaning in life, and search for meaning in life. The MIL-CQ-C mediated the relationship between social connectedness and presence of meaning in life and search for meaning in life. The findings lend support to a valid 3-factor structure for MIL-CQ-C when completed by gifted learners in Hong Kong. (192 words)