10-item measure assessing presence of meaning and search for meaning in life. ≈ 3 min to complete. Free with attribution.
MLQ (Meaning in Life Questionnaire) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 10-item measure assessing presence of meaning and search for meaning in life.. It is most often used for assessing perceived meaning and purpose in life in clinical and research settings.. The instrument contains 10 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 3 min.
Source / attribution: Free to use with citation
Assessing perceived meaning and purpose in life in clinical and research settings. MLQ is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.
Like all screening or assessment instruments, MLQ is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Answer all 10 items below to see your MLQ score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 7-point scale (1–7). Your score updates live as you answer.
All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.
Two 5-item subscales scored 1-7 (absolutely untrue to absolutely true). Presence of Meaning (items 1, 4, 5, 6, 9) and Search for Meaning (items 2, 3, 7, 8, 10). Item 9 is reverse-coded. Each subscale ranges 5-35.
Scoring notes: Two 5-item subscales scored 1-7 (absolutely untrue to absolutely true). Presence of Meaning (items 1, 4, 5, 6, 9) and Search for Meaning (items 2, 3, 7, 8, 10). Item 9 is reverse-coded. Each subscale ranges 5-35.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 5–20 | Low presence of meaning | Consider meaning-focused intervention |
| 21–28 | Moderate presence of meaning | Monitor |
| 29–35 | High presence of meaning | Maintain |
This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.
Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.
| # | Item | Example response | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I understand my life's meaning | Mostly untrue | 2 |
| 2 | I am looking for something that makes my life feel meaningful | Somewhat untrue | 3 |
| 3 | I am always looking to find my life's purpose | Mostly untrue | 2 |
| 4 | My life has a clear sense of purpose | Somewhat untrue | 3 |
| 5 | I have a good sense of what makes my life meaningful | Mostly untrue | 2 |
| 6 | I have discovered a satisfying life purpose | Somewhat untrue | 3 |
| 7 | I am always searching for something that makes my life feel significant | Mostly untrue | 2 |
| 8 | I am seeking a purpose or mission for my life | Somewhat untrue | 3 |
| 9 | My life has no clear purpose | Somewhat true | 3 |
| 10 | I am searching for meaning in my life | Mostly untrue | 2 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
2 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 25
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 25 falls between 21 and 28 → Moderate presence of meaning
Moderate presence of meaning. Monitor
A score is one input alongside history and examination. MLQ supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.
Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.
If MLQ doesn't fit your context, related instruments in wellbeing include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHO-5 | 5-item measure of subjective psychological well-being. | 5 | ≈ 1 min |
| FS | 8-item measure of self-perceived success in relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism. | 8 | ≈ 2 min |
| SPANE | 12-item measure of positive and negative emotional experiences. | 12 | ≈ 2 min |
| GQ-6 | 6-item measure of individual differences in the disposition to experience gratitude. | 6 | ≈ 2 min |
| SHS | 4-item global measure of subjective happiness using absolute ratings and social comparisons. | 4 | ≈ 1 min |
| AHS | 12-item measure of dispositional hope with agency and pathways subscales. | 12 | ≈ 3 min |
| PWB-18 | 18-item short form assessing six dimensions of psychological well-being: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. | 18 | ≈ 5 min |
| PGIS | 9-item measure of active, intentional engagement in personal growth and self-change. | 9 | ≈ 2 min |
MLQ (Meaning in Life Questionnaire) is a validated instrument that assesses 10-item measure assessing presence of meaning and search for meaning in life.. Its primary clinical use is assessing perceived meaning and purpose in life in clinical and research settings..
MLQ typically takes ≈ 3 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.
MLQ contains 10 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 29–35 fall in the "High presence of meaning" band. Maintain
Scores of 5–20 fall in the "Low presence of meaning" band. Consider meaning-focused intervention
MLQ has reported Cronbach's α of 0.86 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.72. Two-factor structure with presence and search as distinct dimensions; convergent and discriminant validity established.
MLQ is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation
Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The Meaning in Life Questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80-93.
No. MLQ is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.
MLQ is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: