Psychometric properties of the Spanish form of the schedule for meaning in life evaluation (SMiLE)

The objective of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the SMiLE (Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation). The SMiLE is a respondent-generated instrument: respondents are first asked to list three to seven areas, which provide meaning to their lives, and then to rate their current satisfaction with the listed areas, as well as the individual importance of each one. Indices of total weighting (IoW), total satisfaction (IoS), and total weighted satisfaction (IoWS) are calculated.

Two hundred and fifty University students responded to the Spanish version of the SMiLE, as well as to instruments for measuring self-esteem, quality of life, depression, and anxiety.

The Cronbach alphas (α = 0.61 for IoS and α = 0.41 for IoW) and test–retest correlations were comparable to those found in the initial validation of the instrument (IoS: r = 0.55; IoW: r = 0.61). The SMiLE showed positive correlations with self-esteem (r = 0.28, P < 0.05 for IoS) and the mental dimension of the quality of life scale (r = 0.31, P < 0.05 for IoS), while negative correlations were observed with depression (r = −0.23, P < 0.01) and anxiety (r = −0.17, P < 0.05).

The results support the validity of the Spanish version of the SMiLE as an instrument for assessing meaning in life.