Recorded presentation

Jennifer Nolan, PhD student, Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Martha Van Renselear Building, room 426, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607 280 0286, jan36@cornell.edu and Jennifer Cowan, Graduate Student, Community Nutrition, Cornell University, 331A MVR Building, College of Human Ecology, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607 257-0599, jac39@cornell.edu.

This is a pilot study on examining the validity and reliability of the conceptualizations of spirituality on nutritional, physical, and emotional/mental well-being, conducted among women members at the Wellness Center at Cornell University. The center was interested in this research to aid in decision making about expanding faith based health and education programs. The study examines conceptualization and measurement of spirituality comprising the two dimensions of connectedness and religiosity. The study also examines the conceptualization and measurement of health comprising physical, nutritional, and emotional/mental well-being dimensions. The study evaluates and critiques the reliability and validity of the measures on the dimensions on spirituality and health, using factor analysis. As part of the analysis, for example, measurement of correlations between the concepts was performed to test for convergent (high correlation) and divergent (low correlation), as components of construct validity. The highest correlation found was between physical health and nutrition (Pearson correlation 0.451, p=0.001). This can be interpreted that those who scored high on good overall physical health also scored high on practicing healthy dietary habits. There was high convergent validity for the sub-concepts of religion and connectedness (Pearson correlation 0.273, p = 0.048) as these sub-concepts comprise the overall concept of spirituality. Interestingly the sub-concept of connectedness is correlated with all the other concepts, including physical and nutritional health except for the concept of mental/emotional health. The next step is to apply the lessons learned in the pilot test to be applied to a larger scaled study for determining further associations on the influence of spirituality and health.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe conceptualization and measurements of spirituality and nutritional, physical and emotional/mental well-being
• Assess pilot testing procedures strengths and limitations
• Evaluate reliability and validity of concepts of spirituality and health sub-concepts through factor analysis

Keywords: Religion, Methodology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Study was conducted among volunteer women wellness members of the Cornell University Wellness Center. The center is interested in this research for consideration of expanding faith based health programs.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation