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Cross-national measurement invariance of the Purpose in Life Test in seven Latin American countries
Author(s)
Caycho‐Rodríguez, Tomás
Private University of the North
Vilca, Lindsey W.
Universidad Norbert Wiener
Cervigni, Mauricio
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Gallegos, Miguel
Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais
Martino, Pablo
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Calandra, Manuel
National University of Rosario
Rey Anacona, Cesar Armando
Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia
López-Calle, Claudio
University of Cuenca
Moreta‐Herrera, Rodrigo
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Chacón-Andrade, Edgardo René
Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador
Lobos-Rivera, Marlon Elías
Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador
del Carpio, Perla
Universidad de Guanajuato
Quintero, Yazmín
Universidad de Guanajuato
Robles, Erika
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
Panza Lombardo, Macerlo
Universidad Nacional del Este
Gamarra Recalde, Olivia
Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Buschiazzo Figares, Andrés
White, Michael
Burgos-Videla, Carmen
University of Atacama
Date Issued
16 de septiembre de 2022
Type
Article
Volume
13
Series/Report No.
Frontiers in Psychology
Start Page
974133
End Page
974133
ISSN
1664-1078
Abstract
The Purpose in Life Test (PIL) is a measure of purpose in life widely used in many cultures and countries; however, cross-cultural assessments are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the cross-cultural measurement invariance of the PIL in the general population of seven Latin American countries (Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay). A total of 4306 people participated, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling, where Uruguay has the highest mean age ( M = 41.8; SD = 16.6 years); while Ecuador has the lowest mean age ( M = 24.6; SD = 7.8 years). Furthermore, in each country, there is a higher proportion of women (>60%) than men (<40%). Using Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the factorial structure does not show evidence of invariance among the included countries. However, based on the Multi-Group Factor Analysis Alignment, there is evidence that a three-dimensional structure of the PIL (Meaning of existence, Freedom to make meaning in daily life and Will to find meaning in the face of future challenges) is the same in the participating countries. Results based on item response theory indicate that most PIL items can significantly differentiate responses according to the level of life purpose. In addition, people with low life purpose will tend to choose the lower response alternatives on the PIL; while people with higher life purpose will choose higher response alternatives. The findings indicate that the PIL has the potential to increase knowledge about how people conceive and experience their purpose in life in different countries.
Keywords