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Meaning in life — MLQ

Ten questions distinguish the meaning you already experience from your search for meaning and purpose.

Method and research sources

What this questionnaire explores

Ten questions distinguish the meaning you already experience from your search for meaning and purpose.

How scoring works

Each response scores 1–7. Reverse item 9 using 8 minus the response. Sum five presence items and five search items separately; each scale ranges from 5 to 35.

Method and sources

The original publication and supporting material document the questionnaire and its scoring.

  1. Original publication
    The Meaning in Life Questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life

    Michael F. Steger, Patricia Frazier, Shigehiro Oishi, Matthew Kaler

    2006
  2. Official page2026

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Questions about this test

Can I have meaning and still be searching?

Yes. Experiencing meaning and looking for more meaning are separate dimensions. The result does not assign a fixed life stage or personality type.