What Purpose In Life Means
A sense of purpose is the feeling that your life has meaning and direction, and that what you do matters. This test looks at four parts:
| Part | Question it answers |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Does my life make sense and feel worthwhile? |
| Direction | Do I have goals that guide me? |
| Engagement | Do my days feel absorbing and alive? |
| Contribution | Does my life matter to others? |
How It Is Scored
You rate 16 statements, four per part, with one reversed in each. Your total and four parts appear as percentages.
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 0% to 40% | Searching for purpose |
| 41% to 60% | Emerging purpose |
| 61% to 80% | Clear sense of purpose |
| 81% to 100% | Strong sense of purpose |
All statements are original to PrismaTest and are not taken from the Purpose in Life test by Crumbaugh and Maholick or other published scales.
The Research
- Viktor Frankl, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, argued in Man’s Search for Meaning (1946) that the search for meaning is a primary human drive. His ideas inspired the first purpose-in-life questionnaires in the 1960s.
- Health and longevity: a 2019 study by Aliya Alimujiang and colleagues, following about 7,000 American adults over 50, found that those with a stronger sense of purpose had a lower risk of death over the study period.
- Purpose can be built: psychologist Carol Ryff includes “purpose in life” as one of six pillars of psychological wellbeing, and research suggests it can grow through goals, relationships and service.
- Ikigai: in Japan, the idea of ikigai, a reason for being, is often linked with wellbeing in older adults.
Ways To Strengthen Purpose
- Meaning: write about the experiences that shaped your values.
- Direction: set one goal for the next three months that reflects those values.
- Engagement: do more of what makes you lose track of time.
- Contribution: help someone regularly, through volunteering, mentoring or small kindnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need one big life purpose?
No. Purpose can come from several sources, such as family, work, faith, creativity or community.
Why do I feel less purpose than before?
Transitions like retirement, graduation, a breakup or moving can temporarily disrupt purpose. It often returns as you build new routines and goals.
Is low purpose a sign of depression?
Not necessarily, but feelings of emptiness can accompany depression. If they persist, talk to a professional.
Related Tests
Clarify what matters with the values test or the personal values test.
Values
Values Test
Sixteen forced-choice trade-offs rank eight core values, from family and freedom to achievement, security and compassion, revealing your real priorities.
Values
Moral Alignment Test
Twenty-four honest statements place you on the classic alignment chart, from Lawful Good to Chaotic Evil, with your position on both scales.
Values
Moral Foundations Test
Thirty statements measure how much six moral foundations, from care and fairness to loyalty and liberty, shape your judgements.
Values
Personal Values Test
Thirty short descriptions rank ten universal values, from self-direction to security, based on Shalom Schwartz's theory of basic human values.
For self-reflection only. Not a mental health assessment. See how we build our tests.