What the MLQ measures
Rooted in Viktor Frankl's logotherapy ("Man's Search for Meaning"), existential psychology asserts that the primary human drive is not pleasure, but the pursuit of meaning. Dr. Michael Steger modernized this concept by proving that "meaning" is not a single axis. One can have a highly meaningful life (Presence) while still actively looking for more meaning (Search). Conversely, one can have an empty life (Low Presence) and have completely given up on trying to fix it (Low Search).
The dimensions it assesses
- Presence of Meaning (MLQ-P): Measures the extent to which respondents feel their lives are currently meaningful, purposeful, and significant. (Correlates with high well-being, low depression, and longevity).
- Search for Meaning (MLQ-S): Measures the extent to which respondents are actively seeking to find or deepen their understanding of meaning and purpose in their lives. (Often correlates with transition periods, existential angst, or open-minded curiosity).
Already have a MLQ score from somewhere else? Look it up without retaking the questionnaire.
What your score means
First, apply reverse scoring to Item 9 (e.g., 7 becomes 1, 6 becomes 2, etc.). Then, sum the scores for the two independent subscales.
| Score | Interpretation | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| High (≥ 24) | The Fulfilled: High life satisfaction, stability, and contentment. They know their purpose and feel no need to look further. | |
| High (≥ 24) | The Seekers: They have a meaningful life, but are highly driven to expand it. Often seen in passionate activists, artists, and lifelong learners. | |
| Low (≤ 23) | The Crisis State: The classic "existential crisis." They lack meaning and are desperately trying to find it. Correlates with anxiety but shows a healthy drive for change. | |
| Low (≤ 23) | The Apathetic: The most dangerous clinical state (Apathy/Anhedonia). They have an empty life and have completely given up on trying to find meaning. High correlation with severe depression. |
These ranges describe groups of people, not individuals. A score near a boundary is not meaningfully different from one just across it, and no range on this table is a diagnosis.
What to do with your result
- Intervening for "The Apathetic": You cannot force a person in the Apathetic quadrant to "find their passion." Clinical depression must be ruled out first. The intervention is purely behavioral: mandate participation in a small, low-stakes community activity (e.g., volunteering to walk dogs at a shelter once a week). Meaning is built through action, not rumination.
- Navigating the "Crisis State": If the user is in the Crisis quadrant, normalize their anxiety. Existential angst is the brain's healthy alarm system signaling that a life transition is necessary. Recommend Victor Frankl's literature and values-clarification exercises.
- The 3 Pillars of Meaning: According to Frankl, meaning is generated in three ways: Creating a work/doing a deed (Achievement), Experiencing something or encountering someone (Love/Art), and the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering (Resilience).
Common questions about the MLQ
- What does the MLQ measure?
- The subjective experience of having a meaningful life, separated into two independent dimensions: the current Presence of meaning, and the active Search for meaning.
- Can the MLQ diagnose me?
- No. Sense of Meaning (MLQ) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.
- How long does the MLQ take?
- 10 questions, which most people finish in 2 – 4 minutes. There is no time limit, and answering honestly matters more than answering quickly. The results page checks for patterns suggesting the questions were rushed.
- Is this MLQ test really free?
- Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.
- Are my answers stored or shared?
- No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.
- How often should I retake the MLQ?
- Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.
- How accurate is the MLQ?
- Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.
Sources
Rights held by Michael Steger. Developed and validated by the researchers cited below.
- Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The meaning in life questionnaire: assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80-93.
- Frankl, V. E. (1946). Man's Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.
Licensing
free-permitted. Free for research and educational use, downloadable from the author.