Standardization of a Spirituality Scale with a South African Sample

Psychometric Evaluation of an Adapted Short-Form Spirituality Scale in a Sample of Predominantly White Adults in an Inpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program

Spirituality is an important aspect of treatment and recovery for substance use disorders (SUDs), but ambiguities in measurement can make it difficult to incorporate as part of routine care. We evaluated the psychometric properties of an adapted short-form version of the Spirituality Scale (the Spirituality Scale-Short-Form; SS-SF) for use in SUD treatment settings. Participants were adult patients (N = 1,388; Mage = 41.23 years, SDage = 11.55; 68% male; 86% White) who entered a large, clinically mixed inpatient SUD treatment program. Factor analysis supported the two-dimensional structure, with factors representing Self-Discovery and Transcendent Connection. Tests of measurement invariance demonstrated that the scale was invariant across age and gender subgroups. The SS-SF exhibited convergent and concurrent validity via associations with participation in spiritual activities, hopefulness, life satisfaction, 12-step participation, and depressive symptoms. Finally, scores on the SS-SF were significantly higher at discharge compared to admission, demonstrating short-term sensitivity to change. These findings support use of the SS-SF as a concise, psychometrically sound measure of spirituality in the context of substance use treatment.

A Comparison of Death Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Social Anxiety Symptoms

This study sought to examine the role of death anxiety as a transdiagnostic predictor of social anxiety symptomatology compared to self-esteem and intolerance of uncertainty, and to examine the relationship between measures of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity and death anxiety. A total of 591 participants, 445 females, average age 38.0 years (SD = 14.5), completed an online survey including background questions, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Social Interaction Anxiety and Social Phobia Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, the Spirituality Scale, and the Death Anxiety Scale. No significant, independent relationship was found between death anxiety and social anxiety symptomatology, although self-esteem and intolerance of uncertainty were significant predictors of both measures of social anxiety, confirming the importance of these key transdiagnostic mediators as predictors of social anxiety symptomatology. A strong negative correlation was found between death anxiety and measures of both intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity in this general population sample not selected for high religious affiliation.

Evaluation of heart rhythm coherence feedback training on physiological and psychological variables

HeartMath refers to a psychophysiological approach dedicated to helping people establish heart-based living and global coherence through heart rate variability training, especially through heart rhythm coherence feedback. This study investigated the influence of emWave2 heart rhythm coherence feedback learning on standardized measures of physiological coherence, sense of coherence, health, mindfulness, and spirituality perceptions, as experienced and evaluated by a small convenience sample of 10 participants. Six women and four men with a mean age of 44.8 years and an age range from 23 to 78 years completed at least five emWave2 biofeedback sessions, with a mean of 10 sessions and a range from 5 to 15 sessions. Quantitative findings indicated significant improvements on all standardized measures. Qualitative findings indicated meaningful experiences and positive evaluations of the workshop. Integrative findings are discussed in relation to previous and future research.