Factor Structure, Reliability, and Convergent Validity of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey for Older Adults

Abstract

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS) (Goldberg, Brintnell, & Goldberg, 2002) in a sample of older adults living in the greater Los Angeles area. The EMAS evidenced moderate test-retest reliability (r = .56) and good internal consistency (α = .89). Exploratory factor analysis (principal components) discerned a two-component structure within the EMAS, indicative of Personal-Competence and Social-Experiential meaning. The EMAS demonstrated theoretically predicted zero-order correlations with measures of meaning and purpose in life, depressive symptomology, life satisfaction, and health-related quality of life. Regression analyses discerned that purpose and meaning in life consistently predicted the EMAS and its components. Furthermore, persons reporting greater levels of Social-Experiential relative to Personal-Competence meaning had the lowest levels of physical health-related quality of life. This study offers initial evidence in support of the EMAS as a valid measure of meaningful activity in older adults.

The Meaningful Activity Wants and Needs Assessment: A Perspective on Life Balance

“…Further evidence of the MAWNA's discriminant validity may be found in the fact that the need for meaningful occupation was consistently negatively associated with well-being; whereas meaningful occupation (i.e., EMAS) was positively associated with these indicators. This latter finding is consistent with prior research that has validated the EMAS as a measure of meaningful occupation (Eakman, 2011(Eakman, , 2012Eakman et al, 2010;Eakman & Eklund, 2012;Goldberg et al, 2002).…”

“…The EMAS test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities are good, and the scale demonstrates very good convergent and predictive validity (Eakman, 2011;Eakman, Carlson, & Clark, 2010;Eakman & Eklund, 2012). Respondents rated each EMAS item on a 5-point scale: 1 -never, 2 -rarely, 3 -sometimes, 4 -usually, and 5 -always, that were subsequently recoded (1 01, 2 01, 3 02, 4 03, 5 04) for data analyses to enhance measurement precision (Eakman, 2012).…”

An Argument for a Dynamic Interrelated View of Occupational Experience

“…Several theorists have proposed that everyday occupational experiences are intertwined or related to more broad spectrum concepts such as meaning in life (Eakman & Eklund, 2012;King, 2004;Persson et al, 2001) or life satisfaction (Eakman, Carlson, & Clark, 2010). For example in the ValMO Model introduced earlier, the creators explain how value related to everyday experiences (concrete, symbolic and self-reward) influences the experience of meaning in life (Persson et al, 2001).…”

A Prospective Longitudinal Study Testing Relationships between Meaningful Activities, Basic Psychological Needs Fulfillment, and Meaning in Life

“…Within the study of life meaning and purpose, consistent negative associations with depression have been noted suggesting an increased risk for depressive symptomology when individuals fail to find adequate meaning within their lives (Klinger, 1977;Steger, Frazier, Oishi, & Kaler, 2006;Zika & Chamberlain, 1992). As well, negative affect and depressive symptoms appear to be negatively associated with the positive subjective experiences found within meaningful activity (Argentzell, Leufstadius, & Eklund, 2012;Eakman, 2011;Eakman et al, 2010a;Eklund & Leufstadius, 2007). Together these reports implicate depression as a factor of interest in the study of temporal relationships between meaningful activity and meaning in life.…”

“…Studies employing the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS) have established moderate positive associations between meaningful activity and measures of meaning and purpose in life in older adults with and without disabilities, undergraduate and graduate college students (Eakman, 2011(Eakman, , 2013aEakman et al, 2010a;Eakman, Carlson, & Clark, 2010b;Eakman & Eklund, 2012). Positive associations have also been found amongst meaningful activity and basic psychological needs fulfillment including indicators of autonomy, competence and relatedness (Eakman, 2011(Eakman, , 2013a.…”