Synthesizing a Comprehensive Definition of Spirituality and Spiritual Development and the Construct Validity of the Optimism Subscale of the Belief Systems Analysis Scale

Abstract

The purpose of this work is two-fold in an effort to narrow the approach to the topics of spirituality, spiritual development and assessment of spirituality. First, a comprehensive review of the literature will accumulate and critique available material on the dimensions that define spirituality and three spiritual development models for similarities, differences, contributions and omissions. Both theoretical and empirical works will be reviewed. Comparisons are made among the definitions of spirituality. The models are critiqued for each one's ability to explain how the concept of spirituality, as comprehensively defined by ASERVIC, develops in the model. Menke's Model of Spiritual Orientation is presented as model that addresses the gaps found in the literature. Second, an investigation of the construct validity of the optimism subscale of the Belief Systems Analysis Scale (BSAS). The BSAS is a measure of Afrocentric worldview which is one of the reviewed constructs embroiled in spirituality and spiritual development in need of further investigation. Two focus groups are conducted to determine the necessity for rewording of items. The focus group data is presented to reflect the insights and ideas provided by the focus group. The reworded items and the entire revised scale are presented. The revised scale is distributed to 67 participants to complete. A factor analysis is conducted on the data from the 67 participants. It is concluded that rewording items in positive direction might improve factor loadings of the optimism subscale items and analysis with a larger population is needed.