Psychometric Development of a Midlife Crisis Questionnaire (MLC-Q): A Dual Approach Using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

This study intended to construct a standardized comprehensive questionnaire for assessing midlife crises in middle-aged people. There were a total of 519 middle-aged participants. For exploratory factor analysis, 252 samples were utilized, and for confirmatory factor analysis, 267 samples. An initial pool of 63 items was generated using the theoretical and conceptual insights found in the literature. Following a comprehensive EFA and CFA with good factor loadings, communalities, model fit, reliability, and validity, the number of items was ultimately lowered to 27. The final questionnaire provided a five-factor model, namely, Physical health and Changes, Identity and Self-Reflection, Emotional Distress, Relationship Evaluation, Career, Social Comparisons, and Worries about Mortality. The five factors demonstrated strong internal consistency and validity indices and are shown to be connected and interdependent. Confirmatory factor analysis further strengthened the association of latent variables. This questionnaire is a novel and effective tool that addresses several of the midlife crisis issues that middle-aged persons encounter. Researchers, psychologists, and clinicians can use this questionnaire to help recognize and measure middle-age crises to apply the necessary interventions.