Engagement in meaningful activities survey

Portuguese version for middle-age and older adults

Bibliographic Data

ID21537089
AuthorsLia Araújo (0000-0001-8212-9235, CINTESIS@RISE, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviço de Saúde do Laboratório Associado da Rede de Investigação em Saúde, corresponding author), Laetitia Teixeira (0000-0002-9276-3683, CINTESIS@RISE, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviço de Saúde do Laboratório Associado da Rede de Investigação em Saúde), Taiane Abreu (0000-0002-9670-1631, CINTESIS@RISE, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviço de Saúde do Laboratório Associado da Rede de Investigação em Saúde), Oscar Ribeiro (0000-0001-7396-639X, CINTESIS@RISE, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviço de Saúde do Laboratório Associado da Rede de Investigação em Saúde)
Year2026
Volume52
Issue5
Pages478-487
Publication date2026-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducational Gerontology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0360-1277 • E-ISSN: 1521-0472
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03601277.2025.2502880
OpenAlexW4410359363
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited36

Participation in daily activities has been associated with positive health effects and well-being. Several studies have highlighted the importance of focusing on the personal meaningfulness of such participation and less on the extent and frequency of activities. The Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS) is a widely used instrument to assess such meaningfulness. This study aims to explore the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity of the Portuguese version of the EMAS and to contribute to the international discussion about the dimensions of this scale. The sample comprised 203 middle aged and older adults (mean age 73.96 years, SD = 9.42 years), most of whom were women (70.9%). Data collection included the translated and adapted Portuguese version of the EMAS and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The EMAS’s internal consistency was α = .91. The exploratory factorial analysis revealed the unifactorial structure of the scale. Test-retest (r = 0.67) and criterion validity (r = 0.36) presented appropriate values. These data show that the Portuguese version of the EMAS represents a reliable and valid measure to capture the subjective qualities of meaningful activity participation. This scale can be of particular use in defining interests and planning interventions targeting middle age and older adults as well as for assessing the impact of interventions that focus on activity participation

Medical education · Portuguese · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery · Gerontology

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