A Comparison of the Psychometric Properties of the Ikigai-9 Between Emerging Adults in India and the United Kingdom

Abstract Ikigai is a Japanese concept referring to one’s reason for living, which is linked to improved quality of life, happiness, and reduced psychological distress. The Ikigai-9 was developed and validated in Japanese before being translated and validated into English. However, its psychometric properties have not been explored in an Indian context, despite its roots in Indian tradition. This study assessed the psychometric properties of the English version of Ikigai-9 in emerging adults, evaluated measurement invariance across gender in an Indian sample and between Indian and United Kingdom samples, and compared levels of ikigai, wellbeing, psychological distress, and behavioral coping strategies across countries. A cross-sectional psychometric study was conducted among 966 emerging adults (N India = 743; N United Kingdom = 223), aged 18 to 29 years (India: M age = 22.25, SD age = 2.85; UK: M age = 24.61, SD age = 4.03), including both genders (females India = 467; females United Kingdom = 124). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor model of the Ikigai-9, aligning with the original Japanese version rather than a unidimensional model. The scale demonstrated adequate equality across gender and cultures, good internal consistency (α = .774, ω = .776), and convergent, divergent, and predictive validity. Notably, Indian participants reported higher well-being and psychological distress compared to their United Kingdom counterparts. These findings indicate that the Ikigai-9 is psychometrically robust in both Indian and United Kingdom samples, and the discussion highlights the potential for ikigai-oriented interventions to enhance mental health by strengthening one’s sense of purpose in life.