A spiritual screening tool for older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this non-experimental study was to investigate the reliability and validity of a self-administered screening tool for spiritual distress in older adults. The tool was unique in that items were consistent with a conceptual definition of spirituality presented in the professional literature and supported by theories of behavioral development for older adults.


METHODS
Questionnaires were distributed to residents of a continuing care retirement community participating in a class on spirituality.


RESULTS
The split-half reliability coefficient was found to be 0.776. Construct validity was established and a cutoff value for spiritual distress was determined.


CONCLUSIONS
Tests for reliability and validity demonstrated confidence in use of the tool to screen for spiritual distress in older adults.
Stranahan
Susan
S
Shell Point Retirement Community, 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33904, USA. SueStranahan@ShellPoint.org
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*