Psychometric Properties of Wong’s Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief among Spanish Older People

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 Geriatric 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.