Measuring Specific Purpose Orientations in Working Adults

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a scale designed to measure specific purpose orientations among adults. Following literature review, a pool of items was developed and pilot tested with a convenience sample of adults recruited through MTurk (N = 554). Exploratory factor analysis suggested three distinct dimensions of others-growth, self-growth, and career-focused purpose orientations. The three-factor structure was confirmed with two independent samples of intercollegiate coaches in Study 2 (N = 377) and with teachers in Study 3 (N = 247) through the use of confirmatory factor analysis. Construct validity of the items was assessed, which included examining factor loadings and reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and nomological validity. Overall, the 12 items measuring purpose orientations are suggested as valid and reliable for research and for reflection on the nature of their life purpose to ultimately promote wellbeing in adult populations.