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Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9

Author

Listed:
  • André Hajek

    (Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Tadanori Imai

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara 252-0373, Japan)

  • Larissa Zwar

    (Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Hans-Helmut König

    (Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

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, p < 0.001), less anxiety symptoms (r = −0.39, p < 0.001), higher health-related quality of life (r = 0.42, p < 0.001), higher happiness levels (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), and higher satisfaction with life levels (r = 0.57, p < 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.

Suggested Citation

  • André Hajek & Tadanori Imai & Larissa Zwar & Hans-Helmut König, 2024. "Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:39-:d:1355936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian P. Shaw, 2021. "Meeting assumptions in the estimation of reliability," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 21(4), pages 1021-1027, December.
    2. Bastien Perrot & Emmanuelle Bataille & Jean-Benoit Hardouin, 2018. "validscale: A command to validate measurement scales," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 18(1), pages 29-50, March.
    3. Viren Swami & Stefan Stieger & Martin Voracek & Stefan Dressler & Laura Eisma & Adrian Furnham, 2009. "Psychometric Evaluation of the Tagalog and German Subjective Happiness Scales and a Cross-Cultural Comparison," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 93(2), pages 393-406, September.
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