Psychometric Evaluation of a Measure of Multidimensional Mattering in Norwegian 16-19-year-olds

Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by increased vulnerability to mental health problems and heightened sensitivity to interpersonal experiences. Identifying relational resources that support mental well-being is therefore a key public health priority. Mattering—the perception of being valued by others and adding value to others—has emerged as a promising construct linking social experiences to mental health. However, progress is limited by inconsistent measurement and a lack of population-based normative data, and existing multidimensional instruments are often too extensive for large-scale surveys. The present study addresses these gaps by introducing an abbreviated measure of multidimensional mattering, derived from Prilleltensky’s framework, and evaluating its psychometric properties in a large sample of 5,068 Norwegian high school students. We also provide descriptive statistics and percentile-based norms to support interpretation. Results supported a two-factor model with acceptable to good fit (e.g., CFI ≈ .95, RMSEA ≈ .05), capturing feeling valued and adding value across central life domains. Measurement invariance testing indicated scalar invariance across sex and age. Internal consistency ranged from acceptable to good (α ≈ .72–.82), and test–retest correlations were moderate (r = .51–.58), indicating that the constructs reflect both stable individual differences and situational variability. Notably, the “feeling valued” dimension demonstrated stronger reliability and stability than “adding value.” These findings support the use of a brief, multidimensional measure of mattering in adolescent populations and provide normative data to inform future research, monitoring, and interventions targeting relational determinants of mental health.

Key messages

• Provides a brief, multidimensional measure of adolescent mattering with strong psychometric properties, suitable for large-scale surveys and population monitoring.

• Establishes the first population-based norms for adolescent mattering, enabling meaningful interpretation of scores and identification of risk and protective levels.