Psychometric Properties of Wong’s Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief Among Spanish Older People
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSelf-transcendence—going beyond personal limitations to connect with something greater—is linked to mental and physical health in older adults. A study of 333 Spanish older adults (ages 65–93, average 70.5) tested the psychometric properties of Wong's Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief (STM-B). The scale showed acceptable internal consistency, adequate fit to the data, and invariance across gender. No significant gender differences in self-transcendence were found. Self-transcendence correlated positively with meaning in life, resilient coping, and life satisfaction, and negatively (though not significantly) with stress and depression. No significant differences emerged by marital status, education, or income. The STM-B is a reliable and valid tool for measuring self-transcendence in older people.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Psychometric validation study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 333 |
| Population | Spanish older adults aged 65 to 93 years |
| Key finding | Wong's Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief is a reliable and valid scale for assessing self-transcendence in Spanish older adults, with acceptable psychometric properties and no significant gender differences. |
Abstract
Abstract Self-transcendence can be defined as what goes beyond one’s limitations and difficulties in life in order to serve or connect with something greater. Self-transcendence is related to both mental and physical health in older people, so it is important to have instruments to measure it properly. This study analyzes the psychometric properties of Wong’s Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief (STM-B) in 333 Spanish older people (142 men and 191 women age-ranged from 65 to 93 years, M = 70.53, SD = 4.60). The STM-B, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Brief Resilient Coping Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, Scales of Psychological Well-Being-Stress Subscale, and Geriactic Depression Scale-15 Items were used. The STM-B showed (1) an acceptable internal consistency, (3) an adequate model-data fit, (4) metric, scalar, strict, and structural invariance across gender groups, (5) not significant gender-related differences in self-transcendence, (6) positive, significant correlationships with presence of/search for meaning, resilient coping, and satisfaction with life, while negative, not significant correlationships with both stress and depression, and (7) not significant differences related to marital status, academic level, and income. The STM-B is a reliable and valid scale for assessing self-transcendence in older people.