Psychometric properties of the full-form and short-form versions of the Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale (ISLES) among Iranian university students

Abstract

Background: Making adaptive meaning of stressful life experiences has been identified as an important determinant of adjustment. The Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale (ISLES) was developed to assess the outcome of meaning-making processes in the face of negative events. Aims: The psychometric properties of this scale have not been measured in Iranian populations. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 16-item and 6-item versions of ISLES with a sample of 502 university students who had experienced relationship dissolution. Results: Findings support a two-factor structure with acceptable validity and reliability. Positive correlations between the scores of ISLES with Centrality of Event Scale and PTSD symptoms provided evidence of concurrent validity. Conclusion: The results of measurement invariance indicated that both the 16-item and 6-item versions of ISLES are gender invariant and can be used to assess meaning-made in both men and women.