Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Validation of the Chinese Version of Underwood’s Daily Spiritual Experience Scale—Transcending Cultural Boundaries?

  • Published:
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Daily spiritual experience (DSE) refers to one’s interaction with the transcendent in day-to-day life. Underwood’s Daily Spiritual Experience Scale mic(DSES) was developed to measure this experiential component of religiousness and spirituality. Addressing ordinary daily experiences rather than particular beliefs, DSES has transcultural applicability potential.

Purpose

The current study aimed to develop and evaluate the Chinese version of DSES (DSES-C).

Method

The 16-item scale was translated faithfully through standard translation/back-translation procedures. The term “God” required an extended definition embracing both a humanized and a philosophical higher power in Chinese culture. The translated scale plus a battery of validation scales were administered to staff of a large rehabilitation service complex, resulting in 245 completed questionnaires.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis revealed a similar factor structure as the original English version and similar problems with items 13 (compassion) and 14 (mercy). After carefully deliberating on the Chinese conceptualization of spirituality and balancing psychometric properties, the one-factor 16-item structure of the English version was supported. DSES-C showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.97). Construct validity was supported by correlations with validation scales in expected directions.

Conclusion

The psychometric properties of DSES were similar to the English version in factor structure, internal consistency, and convergence/divergence construct validity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Astrow AB, Puchalski CM, Sulmasy DP. Religion, spirituality, and health care: social, ethical, and practical considerations. Am J Med. 2001;110:283–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Daaleman TP. Religion, spirituality, and the practice of medicine. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2004;17:370–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Weaver AJ, Koenig HG. Religion, spirituality, and their relevance to medicine: an update. Am Fam Phys. 2007;73(8):1336–7.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Koenig HK, McCullough ME, Larson DB. Handbook of religion and health. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  5. McSherry W. Making sense of spirituality in nursing practice: an interactive approach. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ng SM, Chan CLW. Social work intervention to embrace holistic well-being. In: Adams R, Dominelli L, Payne M, editors. Social work futures—crossing boundaries, transforming practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan; 2005. p. 68–82.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Richards PS, Bergin AE. A spiritual strategy for counseling and psychotherapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 1997.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Fetzer Institute, National Institute on Aging Working Group. Multidimensional measurement of religiousness, spirituality for use in health research. Kalamazoo, MI: Fetzer Institute; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kass JD, Friedman R, Leserman J, Zuttermeister PC, Benson H. Health outcome as a new index of spiritual experience. J Sci Study Relig. 1991;30(2):203–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hood RW, Spilka B, Hunsberger B, Gorsuch R. The psychology of religion. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Underwood LG, Teresi JA. The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale: development, theoretical description, reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and preliminary construct validity using health-related data. Annals Behav Med. 2002;24:22–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Underwood LG. Ordinary spirituality experience: qualitative research, interpretive guidelines, and population distribution for the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale. Arch Psychol Relig. 2006;28(1):181–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Blumenthal JA, Babyak MA, Ironson G, Thoresen C, Powell L, Czajkowski S, et al. Spirituality, religion, and clinical outcomes in patients recovering from an acute myocardial infarction. Psychosom Med. 2007;69(6):501–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Fowler DN, Hill HM. Social support and spirituality as culturally relevant factors in coping among African American women survivors of partner abuse. Violence Against Women. 2004;10(11):1267–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gordon SM, Sterling R, Siatkowski C, Raively K, Weinstein S, Hill PC. Inpatient desire to drink as a predictor of relapse to alcohol use following treatment. Am J Addict. 2006;15:242–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Holland JM, Neimeyer RA. Reducing the risk of burnout in end-of-life care settings: the role of daily spiritual experiences and training. Palliat Support Care. 2005;3:173–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Keefe FJ, Affleck G, Lefebvre J, Underwood L, Caldwell DS, Drew J, et al. Living with rheumatoid arthritis: the role of daily spiritual and daily religious and spiritual coping. J Pain. 2001;2(2):101–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Keeley MP. Final conversations: survivors’ memorable messages concerning religious faith and spirituality. Health Commun. 2004;16(1):87–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Koenig HG, George LK, Titus P. Religion, spirituality, and health in medically ill hospitalized older patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004;52(4):554–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Koenig HG, George LK, Titus P, Meador KG. Religion, spirituality, and acute care hospitalization and long-term care use by older patients. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(14):1579–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Parker M, Roff L, Kemmanck DL, Koenig HG, Baker P. Religiosity and mental health in southern, community-dwelling older adults. Aging Ment Health. 2003;7(5):390–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Smith TW. The national spiritual transformation study. J Sci Stud Relig. 2006;45(2):283–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Sterling RC, Weinstein S, Hill P, Gottheil E, Gordon SM, Shorie K. Levels of spirituality and treatment outcome: a preliminary examination. J Stud Alcohol. 2006;67(4):600–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Watlington CG, Murphy CM. The roles of religion and spirituality among African American survivors of domestic violence. J Clin Psychol. 2006;62(7):837–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Zemore SE, Kaskutas LA. Helping, spirituality and alcoholics anonymous in recovery. J Stud Alcohol. 2004;65(3):383–91.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Tower RB, Lobi PW. Love and longevity survey: measure descriptions and references. Unpublished manuscript. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Ng SM, Yau JKY, Chan CLW, Chan CHY, Ho RTH. The measurement of body–mind–spirit well-being: Toward multidimensionality and transcultural applicability. J Soc Work Health Care. 2005;41:33–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ng SM, Chan CLW, Ho DYF, Wong YY, Ho RTH. Stagnation as a distinct clinical syndrome: comparing “yu” (stagnation) in traditional Chinese medicine with depression. Br J Soc Work. 2006;36:467–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Tso IF, Ng SM, Chan CLW. The development and validation of the Concise Outpatient Department User Satisfaction Scale. Qual Health Care. 2006;18:275–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Leung CM, Ho S, Kan CS, Hung CH, Chen CN. Evaluation of the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: a cross-cultural perspective. Int J Psychosom. 1993;40:29–34.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Leung CM, Wing YK, Kwong PK, Lo A, Shum K. Validation of the Chinese–Cantonese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and comparison with the Hamilton Scale of Depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1999;100:456–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kristensen TS, Borritz M, Villadsen E, Christensen KB. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: a new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work & Stress. 2005;19(3):192–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Yeh WY, Cheng Y, Chen CJ, Hu PY, Kristensen TS. Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Copenhagen burnout inventory among employees in two countries in Taiwan. Int J Behav Med. 2007;14(3):126–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kline P. A psychometrics primer. London: Free Association Books; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Hair JF, Anderson RE, Tatham RL, Black WC. Factor analysis. In: Hair JF, Anderson RE, Tatham RL, Black WC, editors. Multivariate data analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall International; 1998. p. 87–138.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from the Providence Garden for Rehab, the Sheng Kung Hui Diocesan Welfare Council. We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at the Providence Garden for Rehab for their help and collaboration, as well as their kind participation in this study. We would also like to thank Dr. Lynn G. Underwood for her permission and assistance in using the DSES in the study and Ryder Chan for his valuable statistical advice.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, G/F Pauline Chan Building, 10 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Siu-Man Ng, Ted C. T. Fong & Elaine Y. L. Tsui

  2. The Providence Garden for Rehab, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Friendly S. W. Au-Yeung & Sally K. W. Law

Authors
  1. Siu-Man Ng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ted C. T. Fong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elaine Y. L. Tsui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Friendly S. W. Au-Yeung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sally K. W. Law
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Siu-Man Ng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ng, SM., Fong, T.C.T., Tsui, E.Y.L. et al. Validation of the Chinese Version of Underwood’s Daily Spiritual Experience Scale—Transcending Cultural Boundaries?. Int.J. Behav. Med. 16, 91–97 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009-9045-5

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009-9045-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation