DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE MEANINGS MADE BY THE MEANING-MAKING OF STRESSORS SCALE FOR ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop a meaning-making of stressors scale (MMSS) for adolescents and to evaluate its validity and reliability.

Method: A preliminary version of the MMSS questionnaire was administered to 270 undergraduates. An exploratory factor analysis, as well as correlation and partial correlation analyses with kinds of stressors, stressor severity levels, and responses to the 13-item version of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) were conducted to examine the MMSS’s validity; reliability was evaluated using the Cronbach’s α coefficient and split-half method.

Result: A factor analysis (least-squares method with promax rotation) revealed three factors: “growth from stressors,” “clarification of purpose in life,” and “appreciation for human relationships.” Cronbach’s α coefficients for the total scale and three subscales of the MMSS ranged from 0.88 to 0.94. The correlation coefficient using the split-half method was 0.90 (p < 0.001). The total score and three subscales of the MMSS showed significant positive correlations with the SOC-13 scores (r = 0.29-0.49, p < 0.001). “Clarification of purpose in life” showed a significant negative correlation with stressor severity levels (r = -0.14, p < 0.05). However, the “course and employment,” “school record and ability,” and “health” stressors were not significantly correlated with the MMSS’s total score or any of the three subscales.

Conclusion: The MMSS was found to be both reliable and valid. However, some stressors did not have a significant relationship with the MMSS total score or any of its three subscales. Therefore, further studies are needed.