Noetic Orientations Test: New Data on Structure and Validity

The paper presents a new analysis of structural validity of the Noetic Orientations Test (NOT) developed by D.A. Leontiev on the basis of Purpose in Life test J. Crumbaugh and L. Maholick. We used data from a large online sample (N = 9876) with cross-validation in an independent sample (N = 3402). Exploratory factor analysis and exploratory graph analysis yielded a structure with 4 subscales ("Goals", "Process", "Result", "Locus of control") showing high reliability and based on non overlapping sets of items. Confirmatory factor analysis based on a bifactor model revealed that 71 % of item variance was explained by a common factor, showing that the test can be treated as a unidimensional instrument in most research situations. However, the subscales show evidence of discriminant validity with respect to other indicators of subjective well-being and positive functioning (subjective happiness, satisfaction with life, affect balance, fulfillment of existential fundamental motivations). The strongest demographic differences in life meaning scores were associated with occupation (rather than age or gender), and are in line with expectations based on Self-Determination Theory. The findings indicate that the NOT is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used as an indicator of eudaimonic well-being based on existential approach.