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Meaning-in-Life Crisis Questionnaire3

Meaning-in-Life Crisis Questionnaire Test

In about 19 minutes, it clarifies where you feel stuck on purpose, direction, and meaning. With 103 items, it pinpoints inner barriers and guides focused support in counseling or coaching.

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Questions: 10319 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

22,132 views

2,474 completions

2,111 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

358/412

Meaning-in-Life Crisis (MiLC)

Measures the severity of existential meaning-of-life crisis experiences, including difficulties finding meaning, inner emptiness, and reduced motivation that interfere with directing one’s life path.

Lower crisis intensity

Moderate crisis intensity

High crisis intensity

103 – 206: Lower crisis intensity | 207 – 309: Moderate crisis intensity | 310 – 412: High crisis intensity

A score of 358 falls in the High crisis intensity range, suggesting pronounced struggles with meaning and motivation and a stronger sense of inner emptiness or uncertainty about life direction.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Questioning life direction

41%OF USERS

People feeling lost or stuck in “why am I doing this?” thoughts use it to clarify what’s missing and what blocks a sense of meaning.

In therapy or coaching

34%OF USERS

Clients working with a psychologist, psychotherapist, or coach take it to pinpoint where their meaning crisis shows up and track progress.

After major life change

25%OF USERS

Those going through a breakup, burnout, relocation, job loss, or another big transition use it to understand the impact on purpose and motivation.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Scale of Existential Life Crisis (SoELC)

Average

319.2

Normal range

269.2 — 369.2

min.

103

max.

412

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Below is a list of statements describing different ways a person may relate to their own life. Please read each statement carefully and indicate the extent to which it applies to you. Do not spend a lot of time thinking about your responses. Provide the answer that comes to mind first. Do not skip any statements, and remember that there are no right or wrong, good or bad answers.

- Completely true
- Probably true
- Probably untrue
- Completely untrue
- Completely true
- Probably true
- Probably untrue
- Completely untrue
- Completely true
- Probably true
- Probably untrue
- Completely untrue

These are 3 of the 103 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Questionnaire on the Meaning-of-Life Crisis, QMLC Test

Meaning-in-Life Crisis Questionnaire Test - Symptoms and Signs

existential psychology

meaningfulness

life crisis

This self-report measure evaluates experiences related to perceived loss of meaning, uncertainty about life direction, and distress associated with purpose-related concerns. The Meaning-in-Life Crisis Questionnaire is intended to support clinical and research assessment of meaning-related strain and its potential functional impact. It was developed by Michael F. Steger and includes 103 items, typically taking about 19 minutes to complete.

Item content asks respondents to rate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with clarity of life meaning and perceived barriers to pursuing personally valued aims. Scores from the Meaning-in-Life Crisis Questionnaire can be used to characterize the severity and profile of meaning-related difficulties and to inform case formulation, treatment planning, and monitoring of change over time in conjunction with other clinical information.

Author: Michael F. Steger

Literature: Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. The meaning in life questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 2006.