The Purpose in Life Test was first developed by Frankl in 1959. Later, Crumbaugh and Maholick (1964) used and developed this scale. It is a 7-point Likert-type scale consisting of 20 questions. Jonsen, Fayertröm, Lundman, Nygren, Vahakanges, and Strandberg (2010) tested the theoretical assumptions of the PIL and explained the structure of the Swedish version of the PIL. The researchers worked with a group of 449 participants, 62% of whom were women and aged between 19-103 years. As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, three dimensions of the PIL described by Frankl were supported. These dimensions are; meaning in existence, freedom to create meaning in daily life, and willingness to seek meaning in the face of future difficulties. The study also found that the Swedish version of the PIL is a valid and reliable instrument. The meaning of life was identified as one of the basic assumptions of logotherapy. According to this movement, finding a meaning to life is one of the most basic needs for every human being. This need is closely related to the motivation we feel for our own existence. The PIL (Purpose in Life Test) test, which we will discuss in this article, is an application that aims to make an assessment to find this meaning.
In general:
113 and above raw scores are generally considered to be high in purpose.
92-112 points medium
A score of 92 and below is interpreted as a lack of life purpose
In the responses to the items, 1 and 2 can be considered as "low", 3-5 as "medium" and 6 and 7 as "high".
Subtest EPIL (existantial scale of purpose in life questionnaire): Items 1-2-6-8-9-12-16 constitute EPIL.
If items 6-9-11 and 16 are scored 1 and 2, attention should be paid to suicid as a critical situation.
In a study conducted to create a Short Form, items 3, 4, 8 and 20, which directly question the purpose of life, were found to be decisive in distinguishing the state of "feeling good X psychological distress".
Reference: Crumbaugh,J., & Maholick,L. (1964). An experimental study of existentialism: The psychometric approach to Frankl's concept of noogenic neurosis Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 200-207.