The Danish Purpose in Life test-Short Form (PIL-SF): validation and age effects

The present article reports a study conducted to develop and validate a Danish translation of the Purpose in Life test-Short Form (PIL-SF) and examine age effects on this eudemonic measure. The study examined the reliability, unidimensionality, and construct validity of the Danish PIL-SF using a large and representative sample (N = 4,849). The results indicated that the Danish PIL-SF is a reliable and valid measure of meaning and purpose in life, positively associated with but distinct from hedonic well-being. The high degree of similarity between the measurement properties of the Danish PIL-SF, as compared with the English-language PIL-SF, supports the validity of the Danish translation. Furthermore, the unidimensional structure of the Danish measure replicates the structure of the English-language PIL-SF. Given its large and representative sample, the present study provides the current best estimate of a normative population value for the PIL-SF. Also, the present study is the first to our knowledge to explore potential relationships between age and the PIL-SF, and a small positive effect of age on the Danish PIL-SF was found. Limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed.