ON THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE LIFE REGARD INDEX (LRI) - A MEASURE OF MEANINGFUL LIFE - AN EVALUATION IN 3 INDEPENDENT SAMPLES BASED ON THE DUTCH VERSION

The current study presents data on the reliability and validity of the Life Regard Index (LRI), a 28-item scale which was designed to assess positive life regard, degree of experienced meaningfulness of one's life. The theoretical LRI structure, distinguishing two dimensions framework and fulfilment, was substantially supported by empirical data from distressed student (n = 116), normal student (n = 169) and general population (n = 176) samples. The findings demonstrated that the LRI scales have high internal consistency, and good test-retest reliability. The LRI strongly discriminated between distressed and non-distressed subjects. Associations with happiness, psychological well-being and primary relationships were established, showing evidence for construct validity of the LRI. Furthermore the instrument was found to be to a great extent independent of specific value orientations. The use of the instrument in further research is recommended.