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Bert Loonstra, André Brouwers, Welko Tomic
The Open University, Heerlen
Conceptualization, Construction and Validation of the
Existential Fulfilment Scale
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ABSTRACT
This study presents the development and validation of the Existential Fulfilment Scale.
Following Frankl’s concepts of life meaning and existential vacuum, the authors elaborate
the construct of existential fulfilment. Three basic attitudes are distinguished, viz. self-
acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence, all of which deal with overcoming
the conflicts caused by the human existential boundaries. A new scale has been devel-
oped out of Längle’s Existence Scale, the Existential Fulfilment Scale. Its advantage is that
it distinguishes psychologically unhealthy, self-alienating purposes in life from healthy
ones. Well-known measures such as Purpose in Life Test, Life Regard Inventory, and Sense
of Coherence, fail to do so. The Existential Fulfilment Scale has been tested among 812
Dutch individuals. The results of a confirmatory factor analysis make clear that the three
basic attitudes of existential fulfilment should be interpreted as distinct dimensions.
Key words: existential fulfilment; self-acceptance; self-actualization; self-transcendence;
questionnaire; validation; CFA
Introduction
Existential Fulfilment
Existential fulfilment might be of crucial interest in psychological well-being. Viktor Frankl’s
adepts introduced the concept (LÄNGLE, ORGLER & KUNDI, 2003). FRANKL (1962) coined the
term ‘existential vacuum’ for a mode of existence without any life-meaning and purpose,
characterized by boredom and attempts to escape this by distraction, and prone to neuroticism.
The opposite, existential fulfilment, refers to a way of life full of meaning and purpose. The con-
struct of existential fulfilment reveals an existential psychological approach to life. Characteristic
of existential psychology is the attention paid to the boundary experiences of human beings as
determinants of human existence (Yalom, 1980). Human existence is confronted with several
existential boundaries. To obtain a fulfilled existence, human beings have to overcome the psy-
chological conflicts evoked by these boundaries. In three directions people meet with their lim-
itations: the limits of their lifetime, caused by death (PYSZCZYNSKI, GREENBERG & SOLOMON,
1999), the limits of their power and potential (ADLER; ANSBACHER & ANSBACHER, 1956), and
the limits caused by the presence of others (BUBER, 1970; LEVINAS, 1969), and, more gener-
ally, the outer world. So, humans have to meet several tasks: they have to accept their own
mortality, the limitations of their potentialities, as well as their being only a part of reality. They
have to be eager to explore and develop their limited potentialities, and they have to recognize
the otherness of the outer world and relate themselves to it. In fulfilling these existential tasks,
people find life-meaning, and a fulfilled existence. The three existential tasks can be summa-
rized as self-acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence.
LÄNGLE ET AL.(2003) analyze the construct of existential fulfilment in a slightly different way. To
them, the prerequisite for attaining self-transcendence is self-distancing, the ability to distin-
guish oneself from the surrounding world, to not make oneself dependent of other persons or
circumstances, and to accept things as they are. Based on this self-distancing one can trans-
cend the self: enter into relationships with people and other objects and value them, and arrive
at a fundamental feeling of harmony between the world and oneself. Transcending the self may
lead to a life in freedom and responsibility, the two additional dimensions they identify. The dif-
ferences between this conception and the present analysis can be harmonized as follows. Self-
distancing refers to being free from emotional dependence of other people’s opinions and atti-
tudes. So, self-distancing includes freedom from fixations. This comes close to self-acceptance.
Beside freedom from fixations there is freedom to realize one’s potencies. This comes down
to self-actualization. Moreover, responsibility is very near to self-transcendence. In self-trans-
cending, people recognize the otherness of the outer world and respond to it. In the way they
respond, they accept their responsibilities. So, responsibility reflects self-transcendence.
Humanistic psychology, being cognate to existential psychology, has taken due note to the ideas
of self-acceptance and self-actualization. The first basic attitude of self-acceptance or authentici-
ty, is opposed to self-alienation. FROMM (1962) borrows the term ‘alienation’ from Marxist social
theory, to indicate not only social but also psychological estrangement. He distinguishes two
modes of existing: the being mode and, as its opposite, the having mode (FROMM, 1976). The
being mode points towards self-acceptance, the having mode is characterized by self-alienation:
a way of life determined by possession, a consumptive lifestyle, jealousy, and fear of loss. In
order to pass from the having mode into the being mode, life has to be freed from its contra-
dictions and irrationality occurring in the having mode. For ROGERS (1961) self-acceptation is
frustrated by a behavior in which individuals pursue values, which will bring social approval, affec-
tion, and esteem. In this way they try to ‘buy love’ (ROGERS, 1964).
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Self-actualization is the second notion related to existential fulfilment. Maslow holds self-
actualization to be the pinnacle in the hierarchy of human needs. He defines the concept as
the desire for self-fulfilment, or, the tendency to become more and more who one is (MASLOW,
1943). Among the features of an actualized self he reckons an efficient perception of reality,
acceptance of the self, others, and nature, spontaneity, a problem-centered, rather than an ego-
centered approach, autonomy, peak experiences, community feeling, and creativeness
(MASLOW, 1970). FROMM (1947) means the same, but uses the term ‘self-realization’; in it the
total personality is involved, by the active expression of both emotional and intellectual poten-
tialities. In line with this view, ROGERS (1961) identifies self-actualization as the growth ten-
dency of the individual. It is the urge to express and activate all the innate capacities, become
autonomous, and develop mature. In more recent inquiry and literature these theoretical
impulses have been adopted and more developed. SHELDON AND KASSER (1995) relate
‘personality integration’ to the pursuit of intrinsic goals that are assumed to fulfill people’s psy-
chological needs. DECI AN D RYAN (2000) introduce the self-determination theory, which main-
tains that an understanding of human motivation requires a consideration of innate psycho-
logical conditions for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. SHELDON (2001) extends it to
a self-concordance model that accounts for the individuals’ striving for personal meaning. In
this context words like authentic becoming (KASSER & SHELDON, 2004) are used to character-
ize the concept.
The third concept playing a part in connection with existential fulfilment is the concept of self-
transcendence. It is understood in different ways. FROMM (1959) uses the notion to explain that
human individuals have the need to unite themselves with the world and the need for relat-
edness. FRANKL (1962) considers self-transcendence as the essence of human existence. This
is linked up with the spiritual dimension of human beings that distinguishes mankind from all
other living organisms. Through this spiritual ability the individual is able to make intentional
contacts with the world beyond the self, which imposes ultimate meaning on life. From a
developmental perspective REED (1991) defines self-transcendence as the expansion of one’s
conceptual boundaries, inwardly through introspective activities, outwardly through concerns
about others’ welfare, and temporally by integrating perceptions of one’s past and future to
enhance the present. To CLON INGER, SVRAKIC AND PRZYBECK (1993) self-transcendence is a per-
sonality trait, consisting of a sense of wholeness, a consciousness of extraordinary powers, and
flashes of insight.
In this diversity of interpretations the one by FRANKL (1962) is preferable, for it accounts for the
otherness of the transcendent reality. In the encounter the outer world appeals to the subject
to respond. This element is lacking in the presentations by REED (1991) and CLONINGER ET AL.
(1993), who see self-transcendence as a kind of self-expansion, and as a sort of sixth sense,
respectively. BATSON A N D STOCKS (2004) notice the same shortfall of lacking otherness with
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Maslow. They recall that Maslow hinted at the possibility of transcendence, but that he con-
ceived it as a ‘need for transcendence’, consistent with his emphasis on personal needs. The
same applies to FROMM (1959). Real self-transcendence, however, should be a qualitatively
different process, because it transcends personal needs. The authors suggest that the self-
transcendent function might be the most promising for shedding new light on the nature of
the human psyche.
Dimensions
Can the three concepts, self-acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence, be treated
as three distinct dimensions of the construct existential fulfilment? The humanistic and exis-
tential oriented literature does not say a lot about their inter-relationships, but suggests that
they are part of one dimension. MASLOW (1970) mentions ‘acceptance of the self’ as a com-
ponent of self-actualization. ROGERS (1961) suggests that the opposites of self-acceptance, self-
alienation, and self-actualization, or self-realization, form the extremes of one and the same
dimension. He observes that the tendency to self-actualize might become deeply buried under
layer after layer of encrusted psychological defenses, but that it could be released and
expressed in every individual. So, self-realization seems to be the result of being released from
self-alienation. Contemporary researchers, too, tend to see both concepts in a one-dimension-
al perspective. They connect self-actualization with intrinsic goals or goals chosen for
autonomous reasons, and self-alienation with extrinsic goals or goals chosen for controlled
reasons (SHELDON & ELLIOT, 1998; KASSER & RYAN, 2001). As to the relationship between self-
actualization and self-transcendence, Frankl sees the former as a side-effect of the latter
(FRANKL, 1970). People find themselves only to the extent to which they lose themselves for
the sake of something or somebody else. The struggle for one’s self and identity is doomed to
failure unless it is enacted as dedication and devotion to something beyond the self (FRANKL,
1962). Here self-transcendence is introduced as the necessary and sufficient cause of self-
actualization. As a by-product of self-transcendence, self-actualization cannot be regarded as a
separate dimension.
The third connection is the one between self-alienation and self-transcendence. On this mat-
ter only Frankl and his adepts have offered explicit reflections. To FRANKL (1962), self-trans-
cendence is the essential condition for human existence. Without self-transcending and finding
ultimate meaning beyond the self, one falls into an existential vacuum, a phenomenon also
referred to as existential frustration. In other words, lack of self-transcendence seems to involve
self-alienation, because it implies missing the essence of life.
Although humanistic and existentially oriented literature tends to favor a one-dimensional
approach of self-acceptance, self-actualization and self-transcendence, however, other relation-
ships are easily conceivable. For instance, one could think of a dimension being the necessary
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but not sufficient condition for another. The issue of the interdependence will be dealt with in
a later publication.
Existential Fulfilment: Definitions
Existential fulfilment is understood as the life-purpose that aims at doing full justice to the
nature of human existence. Human beings pursue this life goal by accepting the self, by actu-
alizing the self, and by transcending the self. These three notions can be interpreted as basic
attitudes to pursue existential fulfilment, and to overcome the psychological conflicts caused by
human limitedness. Someone who accepts the self accepts his/her potentialities and intrinsic
limitations. Intrinsic limitations are limitations that are not imposed by others, but stem from
one’s own nature. For example, being left alone is not an intrinsic limitation, but a limitation
imposed by others. Feeling alone, however, and having difficulties with being alone, are intrin-
sic limitations. Someone who actualizes the self explores and develops his/ her possibilities
and potentialities for the sake of personal growth in understanding and abilities. Someone who
transcends the self recognizes the otherness of the reality beyond the self, looking for respect-
ful relationships with it, deriving life-meaning from these relationships, feeling responsible for
them, feeling part of a larger whole, distinguishing interests that surpass self-interests, and
being able to see the self in perspective of the outer reality.
Measures for Existential Fulfilment
Is there a satisfying measure for existential fulfilment? Such a measure would have to meet two
criteria. First, it should measure the extent to which people lead a purposeful and meaningful
life, as existential fulfilment denotes the life goal that aims at doing full justice to the nature of
human existence. Second, the measure should account for the qualitative differences between
values, objectives or life-meanings that people can cling to, as noticed above.
Several questionnaires about purpose and meaning in life have been developed and are being
used. CRUMBAUGH AND MAHOLICK (1964; CRUMBAUGH, 1968) presented the Purpose in Life
Test. They define purpose in life as ‘the ontological significance of life from the point of view
of the experiencing individual’. One of the 20 items runs as follows: ‘in life I have: (1) no goals
or aims at all – (7) very clear goals and aims’. BAT TISTA A N D ALMOND (1973) devised an alter-
native test, the Life Regard Inventory, consisting of 28 items to be rated on a 5-point scale.
This test claims to be value free, and consists of two dimensions, framework and fulfilment. An
example from the framework dimension is: ‘There are things that I devote all my life’s energy
to.’ The fulfilment dimension consists of items like ‘When I look at my life I feel the satisfaction
of really having worked to accomplish something.’ Within another theoretical framework
ANTONOVSKY (1987) designed the Sense of Coherence scale. He departed from the bio-psy-
chosocial model of health, and assumed that sense of coherence in life will favor (psycho)
somatic well-being. He distinguishes three dimensions in it, viz. comprehensibility, manage-
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ability, and meaningfulness. An example of the last mentioned dimension is: ‘How often do
you have the feeling that there’s little meaning in the things you do in your daily life?’
All these scales do meet the first criterion, namely that they measure the extent to which peo-
ple lead a purposeful and meaningful life. They fall short, however, in the sense that they do
not account for the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic goals, nor between self-oriented
and self-transcending goals. So, they show no difference between self-alienated, self-actualiz-
ing, and self-transcending values and goals (second criterion). Especially the lacking clarity
about the difference between self-alienated goals and the other two sorts of goals is prob-
lematic. Somebody dedicating all of his energy to the gain of riches would score high on pur-
posefulness and meaningfulness in the three mentioned measures. Still, that person would
lead a self-alienated life. In consequence, the measures are unfit for identifying existential ful-
filment, for if a high score refers to extrinsic goal pursuit, it does not indicate any progress in
striving after existential fulfilment.
Beside these measures there is one scale that claims explicitly to measure existential fulfilment,
namely the Existence Scale by LÄNGLE ET AL.(2003). The problem with this questionnaire is
that the scores of a large group of respondents do not confirm the theoretical factor structure
(see below). So there is a need for a new scale.
Construction of the Existential Fulfilment Scale
The starting point for a new measure was the Existence Scale by LÄNGLE ET AL.(2003), in a
Dutch translation. Alas, a confirmatory factor analysis of the data of 1187 respondents follow-
ing several professions with an intense involvement with other people, did not confirm the the-
oretical factor structure. As LOONSTRA, BROUWERS AND TOMIC (in press) showed, the fit of the
four-factor model – as suggested by Längle – was not better than that of one or two-factor
models. The highest CFI-value was .72, far below the criterion of .90 (BENTLER & BONNET,
1980). A principal component analysis, however, revealed five factors that were covered by 24
of the 46 items, loading ≥.50 on one of these factors. After leaving out a factor that could be
labeled ‘egocentrism’, the 20 remaining items covered three factors that could be labeled
‘involvement’, ‘satisfaction in doing things’, and ‘self-transcendence’. The first two labels get near
the sense of ‘self-actualization’ and ‘self-acceptance’, respectively. All of the 20 remaining items
had been formulated in the negative. In a revised scale, some were left out, many of them
were reformulated in the positive, and new items were added, in order to make the concepts
of ‘self-acceptance’, ‘self-actualization’, and ‘self-transcendence’ more operational. In the pre-
sent study we tested the revised scale using confirmatory factor analysis.
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Central Question and Hypotheses
The central question in this investigation is: May the three terms that are used to describe the
basic attitudes to pursue existential fulfilment be regarded as three distinct dimensions, or are
they to be seen as two dimensions or even one? The zero-hypothesis, which can be inferred
from the literature is that self-acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence make up
only one dimension. The alternative hypotheses are that they form two or even three distinct
dimensions.
Method
Participants
Individuals eligible for participation in this study were Dutch speaking former students of two
university psychology departments. We randomly selected 1500 individuals and asked them to
participate in our study. The students’ administration departments provided us with a current
directory containing a complete list of alumni addresses from 1990 to date. A simple random
sample of 1500 individuals received the survey questionnaire at their home address by mail.
As 1500 persons were approached and 812 persons participated, the response rate was 54%,
which is not only adequate according to BABBIE (2006), but also in accordance with the find-
ings of ASCH, JEDRZIEWSKI, & CHRISTAKIS (1997). The average age of the respondents was 42.60
years with a standard deviation of 8.84. The breakdown of the total sample (N = 812) in terms
of sex is as follows: male respondents 187 (23%), female respondents 625 (77%). The aver-
age male age was 44.15 years (SD = 10.10), and the average female age was 42.14 (SD =
8.40). Former female students were younger: t(267) = 2.48; p < .001.
We compared our sample with a known value for the population of psychology students, in
this instance gender. According to national university data the percentage of female and male
psychology students is 75% and 25%, respectively (ASSOCIATION OF DUTCH UNIVERSITIES, 2005).
A comparison with other university students shows that our sample was representative in terms
of gender (χ2(1) = .11, p > .05.)
Procedure
The design is simple and involves a large random sample of alumni who were asked to com-
plete a questionnaire. We mailed a self-administered survey to alumni homes. The survey
addressed topics in the following order: existence scale, and demographic characteristics like
gender, respondent age, and years of work experience. The accompanying cover letter stated
that the purpose of the study was to better understand respondents’ feelings of existential ful-
filment and well-being. The letter also explained that participation was elective and that
responses would be anonymous and contained an assurance of confidentiality. Specific
hypotheses were not revealed in the cover letter. After the survey was mailed to all participants,
one reminder was sent by mail fourteen days later. In order to raise the response rate, we fol-
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lowed suggestions from GREEN, BOSER AND HUTCHINSON (1997): we provided respondents with
postage-free envelopes, we sent the questionnaires to the respondents directly, the respon-
dents could contact us at any time if necessary, and we used a fairly brief questionnaire.
Measure
In order to measure existential fulfilment, as being composed of the three dimensions self-
acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence, the Existential Fulfilment Scale has been
developed. In its present shape the scale consists of 15 items, 5 items for each dimension, to
be measured on a 5-point Likert scale, running from 0 to 4, meaning ‘not at all’ to ‘fully’ appro-
priate to respondent. The items about self-acceptance and self-alienation refer to the urge to
prove oneself towards others, rejection of the self, inner uncertainty, and psychological reliance.
For example: ‘Often I am doing things more because I have to, than because I want to.’ When
the scores on items measuring self-alienation are inverted, they can be regarded as indications
for self-acceptance. The self-actualization items are about intrinsic motivation, the passion
towards one’s own ideals, and feeling free and calm to pursue one’s goals. One item is, for
instance: ‘I stay motivated to go on, even when the odds are against me.’ The items regarding
self-transcendence are about the feeling to be part of a larger meaningful whole, conceiving a
sense of life that transcends personal interests, and being convinced that life has a meaning,
for example: ‘I think my life has such a deep meaning that it surpasses my personal interests’.
Analysis
In order to test the proposed factorial structure of the Existential Fulfilment Scale, confirmatory
factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation was used utilizing the AMOS 3.61
computer program (Arbuckle, 1997). In this confirmatory factor-analytic approach, the fit of five
factorial models was tested against the null model (Model 0): Model 1, a one-factor model in
which all items of the three subscales were allowed to load on one general meaning-in-life fac-
tor; Model 2, a two-factor orthogonal model in which the items of the self-transcendence sub-
scale were allowed to load on one factor, whereas the items of the self-acceptance and self-
actualization subscales were allowed to load on a second factor (the two subscales were not
allowed to correlate); Model 3, a two-factor oblique model (the same model as Model 2 with
the difference that the two subscales were allowed to correlate); Model 4, a three factor model
in which the items of the self-transcendence subscale were allowed to load on one factor,
whereas the items of the self-acceptance subscale as well as those of the self-actualization sub-
scale were allowed to load on respectively a second and third factor (the three subscales were
not allowed to correlate); Model 5, a three-factor oblique model (the same model as Model 4
with the difference that the three subscales were allowed to correlate).
Evaluation of model fit was based on the chi-square likelihood ratio, the Root Mean Square
Residual (RMR), the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI),
the Normed Comparative Fit Index (CFI; BENTLER,1990), and the Parsimony Normed
Comparative Fit Index (PCFI). To assess CFI and PCFI, null models were specified, in which the
variables are mutually independent (Model 0). Following the recommendations of BENTLER AND
BONETT (1980), the fit of a model was considered to be acceptable as CFI exceeded .90. PCFI
was used to assess a model’s parsimony, which is especially useful when comparing models
(MULAIK, JAMES, VAN ALSTEIN, BENNETT, LIND, & STILWELL, 1989).
Results
Results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed chi-square ratios, which indicate a poor
absolute fit, most likely due to the large sample size. Inspection of the CFI, which is relatively
insensitive of the sample size (MCDONALD & MARCH, 1990), indicated that the three-factor
oblique model (Model 5) fitted the data best (see Table 1). The fit was virtually adequate since
its CFI of .89 comes close to the recommended criterion of .90 (BENTLER & BONETT, 1980).
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Table 1. Chi-Squares and Fit Indexes of the Existential Fulfilment Scale (N = 812)
Chi square df RMR GFI AGFI CFI PCFI
Model 0 4478.08 105 .35 .45 .37 .00 .00
Model 1 1945.31 90 .13 .65 .54 .58 .49
Model 2 955.96 90 .15 .85 .79 .80 .69
Model 3 917.64 89 .12 .85 .79 .81 .69
Model 4 884.21 90 .16 .88 .84 .82 .70
Model 5 588.65 87 .08 .91 .88 .89 .73
Chi-square difference tests showed a significantly better fit of the three-factor oblique model
(Model 5) over the one-factor model (Model 1; ∆χ2(3) = 1356.66, p < .001), the two-factor
orthogonal model (Model 2; ∆χ2(3) = 367.31, p < .001), the two-factor oblique model
(Model 3; ∆χ2(2) = 328.99, p < .001), and the 3-factor orthogonal model (Model 4; ∆χ2(3)
= 295.56, p < .001).
A higher-order-factorial model in which the self-control and the self-expression factors were
allowed to load on a second-order factor was also calculated. This model showed the same
chi-square, fit indices and parameter estimates as the current study’s final model, Model 5.
Evaluation of the pattern of its standardized regression coefficients revealed that all of the fac-
tor loadings were between .50 and .92.
Table 3 shows significant relations between self-acceptance and self-actualization as well as
between self-actualization and self-transcendence (respectively Pearson’s r = .41, p < .001 and
.40, p < .001). The data revealed no significant relation between self-acceptance and self-tran-
scendence (Pearson’s r = .06, p > .05).
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Table 2. Completely Standardized Solution of the Three Factor Oblique Existential
Fulfilment Scale
Item nr. Item M SD Loading
Self-Acceptance
11.I find it very hard to accept myself .64 .80 .67
12.I often do things because I have to, not because I really want to
do them .68 .80 .66
1. I often feel uncertain about the impression I make on other people .98 .88 .64
3. I do a lot of things that I would actually rather not do .83 .81 .60
8. I often feel I have to prove myself 1.46 1.02 .50
Self-Actualization
5. Deep inside I feel free 2.55 1.09 .69
14.I completely approve of the things that I do 3.01 .71 .58
2. I’ll remain motivated to carry on even in times of bad luck 3.00 .80 .57
7. Even in busy times I experience feelings of inner calmness 1.92 1.03 .55
15. My ideals inspire me 2.57 .94 .52
Self-Transcendence
6. I think I am part of a meaningful entity 2.03 1.36 .92
4. I feel incorporated in a larger meaningful entity 2.24 1.26 .81
13.I think my life has such a deep meaning that it surpasses my
personal interests 1.60 1.35 .74
10.I have experienced that there is more in life than I can perceive
with my senses 2.13 1.39 .70
9. It is my opinion that my life is meaningful 2.70 1.09 .69
Table 3. Descriptive Statistics of the Subscales of the Existential Fulfilment Scale
MSD alpha 123
1. Self-Acceptance .92 .61 .74 –
2. Self-Actualization 2.62 .62 .71 .41*** –
3. Self-Transcendence 2.14 1.06 .88 .06 .40*** –
Note. * p < .05; ** p < .01; *** p < .001.
Discussion
This study tested the factorial validity of the Existential Fulfilment Scale. The Existential Fulfil-
ment Scale comprises three subscales to assess (1) the urge to prove oneself towards others,
rejection of the self, inner uncertainty, and psychological reliance, conceptualized as self-alien-
ation or reversed as self-acceptance; (2) intrinsic motivation, the passion towards one’s own
ideals, and feeling free and calm to pursue one’s goals, conceptualized as self-actualization;
and (3) the feeling to be part of a larger meaningful whole, conceiving a sense of life that tran-
scends personal interests, and being convinced that life is meaningful, conceptualized as self-
transcendence. Theoretical notions of three building blocks of humanistic and existential psy-
chology, as described by Fromm, Maslow, and Frankl, pointed to the hypothesis that the three
attitudes, self-alienation, self-actualization, and self-transcendence, are all part of one and the
same dimension. Explicitly was reckoned with the alternative hypothesis, however, that exis-
tential fulfilment subscales comprised three different attitudes towards one’s own life. The
results showed an adequate fit of the three-factor oblique model, in which the items of the
three subscales were allowed to load on their respective factors. Since the fit of the three-factor
oblique model was significantly better than both a two-factor model and a one-factor model, it
was concluded that existential fulfilment consists of three mutually correlated but different
concepts.
The present study’s findings of a partial distinction between the three scales confirm the thesis
that existential fulfilment is composed of three different concepts, called self-acceptance, self-
actualization, and self-transcendence. Although the results confirmed the three oblique factori-
al structures, they did not allow drawing conclusions about the content of the scales. Therefore
it is recommended to study the content validity of the scales in further detail in a follow-up, for
instance by convergent and discriminant validity checks.
Correlation analysis showed that the three dimensions are significantly related to each other,
except the relationship between self-acceptance and self-transcendence. The question remains
what its theoretical rationale is. Is there any interdependence, for example one dimension
being a necessary but not sufficient condition for another? It is recommended to investigate
the inter-relationships between the three concepts that make up existential fulfilment in further
detail. That kind of research can support the theoretical development of a model, which
describes the growth process of attitudes toward a more existential fulfilling live.
By identifying three distinct dimensions in existential fulfilment, the presentation of the Exis-
tential Fulfilment Scale can be regarded as an improvement in measuring purpose in life. The
scale distinguishes qualitatively different directions of goal pursuit, one of which is self-oriented
and self-alienating, while the others are accepting, actualizing and even transcending the self.
This qualitative distinction makes it possible to identify psychologically healthy ways of goal
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pursuit in life, opposite to unhealthy ways, and to measure existential fulfilment, opposite to
existential vacuum.
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Correspondence address:
Welko Tomi´c
Department of Psychology
The Open University
P.O . B ox 2960
NL-6401 DL Heerlen
The Netherlands
Phone ++31 / (0)45 / 57 62 539
Fax ++31 / (0)45 / 5762939
e-mail: Welko.Tomic@ou.nl
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