Validation of the Chinese version of Underwood's Daily Spiritual Experience Scale--transcending cultural boundaries?
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.


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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychometric properties of DSES were similar to the English version in factor structure, internal consistency, and convergence/divergence construct validity.
Ng
Siu-Man
SM
Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, G/F Pauline Chan Building, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. ngsiuman@hku.hk
Fong
Ted C T
TC
Tsui
Elaine Y L
EY
Au-Yeung
Friendly S W
FS
Law
Sally K W
SK
D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014175:Translating; D055815:Young Adult