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James Alan Neff, PhD, MPH and Donald W. Parker, MS. College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 2114 Technology Building, Norfolk, VA 23529, (757) 683-6482, JANeff@odu.edu

Data are presented to extend previous psychometric analyses of a new multi-dimensional measure of spirituality and religiosity developed for research on spiritual change as a mediator of substance abuse treatment outcomes among minority individuals. Previous factor analyses of data from 240 alcohol/drug treatment clients in Tennessee and Virginia indicated 4 factors: a Religious Participation and Identification factor (Religiosity) and 3 Spirituality factors which follow conceptual models of �spirituality' as involving the individual's relationships with God (or Higher Power), Others, and Self.

To further explore the psychometrics of the new multidimensional spirituality measure, the posited 4 factor structure was tested using CFA techniques on data from a sample of 184 members of a large urban church, serving a largely African American population. These analyses address the fit of the model in a normal population, self-selected to be spiritually inclined.

The church sample was predominantly African-American (90%) and female (75%), with an average age of 43 years; 56% reported completing as much as some college. Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the 4 factor model indicated significant lack of fit (Chi-Square on 106df = 2115.184, p < .05) with Fit Indices (IFI = .732, CFI = .715, RMSEA = .067) indicating poorer fit than in the initial treatment sample (previous fit indices approaching .90). All 4 dimensions did, however, indicate acceptable levels of internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha > .70). Overall, psychometric analyses confirm the general structure of the measures while pinpointing specific items that may be less applicable in a non-treatment sample.

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