Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9
Background: The Japanese concept of “ikigai” embodies the feeling of having a meaningful purpose in life. It is associated with several positive outcomes. This study aimed to translate and validate the German version of the Ikigai-9 scale (Ikigai-9-G)—and ikigai scores for certain groups of interest...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Societies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/14/3/39 |
| _version_ | 1797239293304897536 |
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| author | André Hajek Tadanori Imai Larissa Zwar Hans-Helmut König |
| author_facet | André Hajek Tadanori Imai Larissa Zwar Hans-Helmut König |
| author_sort | André Hajek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The Japanese concept of “ikigai” embodies the feeling of having a meaningful purpose in life. It is associated with several positive outcomes. This study aimed to translate and validate the German version of the Ikigai-9 scale (Ikigai-9-G)—and ikigai scores for certain groups of interest were presented. Methods: Data were taken from a quota sample of the German adult population aged 18 to 74 years (n = 5000; representative in terms of age, sex, and state). Data were collected in August/September 2023. The translation process was conducted in accordance with the existing guidelines. Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha; McDonald’s omega) was assessed. Moreover, we evaluated the structure’s soundness using confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and examined concurrent validity by exploring pairwise correlations between the Ikigai-9-G with life satisfaction, happiness, health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, we presented ikigai scores for specific sociodemographic groups of interest. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the Ikigai-9-G equaled 0.88. The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor model as initially proposed. A higher sense of ikigai was associated with less depressive symptoms (r = −0.43, <i>p</i> < 0.001), less anxiety symptoms (r = −0.39, <i>p</i> < 0.001), higher health-related quality of life (r = 0.42, <i>p</i> < 0.001), higher happiness levels (r = 0.62, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and higher satisfaction with life levels (r = 0.57, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusion: The Ikigai-9 scale is a psychometrically sound tool offering the possibility for assessing ikigai among German speakers. Additional translation and validation studies are required to facilitate comparisons across different countries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:49:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-410f7462cbcc45deaae77c7fac61a7d4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4698 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:49:14Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Societies |
| spelling | doaj.art-410f7462cbcc45deaae77c7fac61a7d42024-03-27T14:04:34ZengMDPI AGSocieties2075-46982024-03-011433910.3390/soc14030039Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9André Hajek0Tadanori Imai1Larissa Zwar2Hans-Helmut König3Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara 252-0373, JapanDepartment of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyBackground: The Japanese concept of “ikigai” embodies the feeling of having a meaningful purpose in life. It is associated with several positive outcomes. This study aimed to translate and validate the German version of the Ikigai-9 scale (Ikigai-9-G)—and ikigai scores for certain groups of interest were presented. Methods: Data were taken from a quota sample of the German adult population aged 18 to 74 years (n = 5000; representative in terms of age, sex, and state). Data were collected in August/September 2023. The translation process was conducted in accordance with the existing guidelines. Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha; McDonald’s omega) was assessed. Moreover, we evaluated the structure’s soundness using confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and examined concurrent validity by exploring pairwise correlations between the Ikigai-9-G with life satisfaction, happiness, health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, we presented ikigai scores for specific sociodemographic groups of interest. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the Ikigai-9-G equaled 0.88. The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor model as initially proposed. A higher sense of ikigai was associated with less depressive symptoms (r = −0.43, <i>p</i> < 0.001), less anxiety symptoms (r = −0.39, <i>p</i> < 0.001), higher health-related quality of life (r = 0.42, <i>p</i> < 0.001), higher happiness levels (r = 0.62, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and higher satisfaction with life levels (r = 0.57, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusion: The Ikigai-9 scale is a psychometrically sound tool offering the possibility for assessing ikigai among German speakers. Additional translation and validation studies are required to facilitate comparisons across different countries.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/14/3/39ikigaipurpose in lifemeaning in lifevalidationwell-beingdepression |
| spellingShingle | André Hajek Tadanori Imai Larissa Zwar Hans-Helmut König Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9 Societies ikigai purpose in life meaning in life validation well-being depression |
| title | Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9 |
| title_full | Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9 |
| title_fullStr | Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9 |
| title_short | Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9 |
| title_sort | translation and validation of the german version of the ikigai 9 |
| topic | ikigai purpose in life meaning in life validation well-being depression |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/14/3/39 |
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