The Boston College Living a Life of Meaning and Purpose (BC-LAMP) Portfolio: A Reexpression and Extension of the Claremont Purpose Scale

• In Event: Paper Session 1 (Pending Title)

Abstract

The development of meaning and purpose in life are objectives at the core of a University-X education. Given their abstract nature, it is challenging to measure an individual’s sense of purpose. Consequently, AUTHORS et al. (2020) applied a novel form of assessment consisting of Rasch-Guttman scenario scales to measure the purpose dimensions of meaningfulness, goal orientation, and beyond-the-self (the University-X-Living a Life of Meaning and Purpose portfolio). The scenarios defining those dimensions incorporate the facets of clarity, effort, and frequency in depicting young adults’ lived-experiences. Using a cross-sectional undergraduate sample representing the first four years of college (N = 661), this paper extends the original work by incorporating the facet of “horizon” in the measurement of purpose in life.

Authors

• Larry H. Ludlow, Boston College

• Theresa A. O'Keefe, Boston College

• Olivia Szendey, Boston College

• Ella Anghel, Boston College

• Henry I. Braun, Boston College

• Burt Howell, Boston College

• Christina Matz-Costa, Boston College