Using a Gain/Loss Framework to Measure Impact: The Perceived Impact of Life Event Scale

Abstract

The author describes three interconnected investigations focused on the development and psychometric evaluation of the Perceived Impact of Life Event Scale (PILES), a measure developed using a gain/loss framework for assessing the multidimensional impact of single life events. In Study 1 (N = 160), the author describes the item generation process and results of a pilot study. In Study 2 (N = 244), exploratory factor analysis suggested a 29-item scale with the four following gain/loss factors: existential, discretionary time, romantic relationship/sexual, and career and employment. In Study 3 (N = 244), confirmatory factor analysis indicated a three-factor model (26-item scale), and findings suggested convergent validity of the measure.

KEYWORDS:

• gains
• impact
• instrument development
• life events
• losses

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank all of the students who have served on her grief and loss research team since 2003, including those who were involved with the American Psychological Association poster in 2006 (see References). Students who assisted after this presentation were Allyson Matt, Nathan J. Miles, Joanna Primeau, and Eric VandeVoorde. In addition, Stephanie Morris assisted with access to the samples used in Studies 2 and 3, and Sara Tedrick Parikh assisted with data cleaning and measure description for Study 3.

Notes

Note. F1 = existential; F2 = discretionary time; F3 = romantic relationship; F4 = career and employment. Bold values indicate the highest structure coefficients for each item.

Note. N = 244. TLI = Tucker-Lewis Index; IFI = incremental fit index; CFI = comparative fit index; RMSEA = root mean square error of approximation.

^a Independence model.

^b Unidimensional model.

^c Hypothesized four-factor model.

^d Competing three-factor model.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather L. Servaty-Seib

Heather L. Servaty-Seib is a counseling psychologist and associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Purdue University. Her research interests include a broad range of areas within the field of thanatology, with particular emphasis on adolescent/college student grief, and using a gain/loss framework for viewing all life events.