A Validity Study of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Claremont Purpose Scale for Taiwanese Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and gather evidence supporting the validity of scores from a traditional Chinese version of the Claremont Purpose Scale (TC-CPS) among Taiwanese adolescents. The TC-CPS, measuring meaningfulness, goal directedness, and beyond-the-self orientation, was administered to 233 high school and 445 university students. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a second-order model with three first-order factors. Scores from the instrument demonstrated evidence of good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Additionally, evidence supporting concurrent validity was observed through correlations with scores from measures of identified purpose, search for purpose, life satisfaction, and depression. Each purpose dimension was significantly related to youth’s well-being, except for the beyond-the-self dimension, which showed no significant link to depression. Measurement invariance across gender and educational stages was established. The TC-CPS exhibited robust psychometric properties, suggesting its utility for assessing purpose in life among Taiwanese youth. This evaluation of the psychometric properties and validity evidence of scores from the TC-CPS supports its potential to serve as a valuable instrument for understanding and promoting adolescent purpose development in Taiwan. The instrument can be particularly useful in the current educational context in Taiwan, which emphasizes self-exploration and meaningful goal-setting.