My Life Values Test: Design, Construction, and Psychometric Validation of a Tool for Managing Values

Abstract The relationship between personal values and emotional well-being is well-established in psychological literature. This study focuses on the development and psychometric validation of the My Life Values Test (MLVT) for the general Spanish population, aiming to assess the intensity and priority of personal values. Two samples were used (pilot phase n = 148, validation n = 372). The MLVT, consisting of 75 items on a 10-point Likert scale, underwent factor analysis and reliability and validity tests. The MLVT demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's α = .914; McDonald's ω = .937) and confirmed structural validity, with excellent fit indices across three hierarchical levels (RMSEA = .03, 95% CI [.02, .04]; SRMR = .029, 95% CI [.02, .04]; CFI = .946; TLI = .951; R² = .423), consistent with Schwartz’s Theory of Basic Human Values (BHV). The MLVT is validated as an effective tool for measuring both the intensity and priority of personal values. Its implementation could facilitate more precise and personalized interventions that promote well-being, group cohesion, and organizational effectiveness. Future research should replicate these findings with larger and more diverse samples to expand its applicability across different cultural and demographic contexts.