Meaning in life (MLQ)
Meaning in life and the direction you want to find. Answer the app’s questionnaire and see your result right away.
Source · Steger MF, Frazier P, Oishi S, Kaler M. The Meaning in Life Questionnaire. J Couns Psychol. 2006;53(1):80–93. CareOps English translation of its existing Korean questionnaire. Wording, response choices and descriptive score ranges follow the CareOps version and have not been independently validated in English. Having meaning and searching for meaning are separate dimensions, not opposite ends of one score.
Meaning in Life Questionnaire: having and searching
The Meaning in Life Questionnaire was published by Michael Steger and colleagues in 2006. Its ten items separate two questions: whether you already feel your life has meaning (presence) and whether you are looking for it (search). Presence items ask whether you know your life's purpose and what makes it meaningful; search items ask whether you are looking for something that makes your life feel meaningful. Answer with your present self in mind. This page uses an English translation of the CareOps version, which has not been independently validated in English.
Reading your results
Instead of one total, the result screen describes presence and search separately as higher, middle or lower. They are separate dimensions, not opposite ends of one score, so both can be high or both low. High presence with high search can mean you know your direction and are still widening it; low presence with high search can mean you are in a period of looking. Neither combination is the right answer, so read them against the season of life you are in.
A question to reflect on
List three things from the past month you were glad you did. Underline what they have in common, such as people, learning, helping or making something. That shared thread hints at where meaning comes from for you.
Frequently asked questions
- How many questions are in Meaning in life (MLQ), and how long does it take?
- There are 10 questions, and it usually takes about 2 minutes. For each question you choose one of 7 answers, from “Strongly disagree” to “Strongly agree”. There are no right or wrong answers.
- If my search score is high, does that mean my life lacks meaning?
- No. Searching is separate from having meaning. You can feel your life is meaningful and still be looking more deeply.
- Both of my scores are low. What does that mean?
- Meaning may simply not be at the centre of your attention right now, which happens when life is busy or tiring. Start by collecting small moments that felt worthwhile.
- Does meaning in life change over time?
- It can shift as your work and relationships change. Retaking it during a big transition can make that shift visible.
- Do I need to sign in? Are my answers saved?
- You can see your results right away without signing in. Your answers are used only for scoring and are not stored on our servers.
- Can I bring these results into a counseling session?
- Use the analysis button at the bottom of the result screen to have a short conversation with Maeumi without signing in. After the conversation, you can continue in the app. The web conversation does not transfer automatically to the app.
- Can I share my results with a friend?
- Yes. Use Share at the top right of the result screen to send a friend the check itself, or share your result as a link or story image. A result link carries your scores inside the address only; it does not include your name or account, and nothing is saved on our side.