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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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