The Factor Analytic Structure and Personality Correlates of 'Spiritual Emergency'

Abstract

A reliable and valid assessment instrument would aid clinicians in their diagnosis of spiritual crisis, or emergency. The current study investigated the structural validity and personality correlates of the 30-item Spiritual Emergency Scale (SES) (Goretzki, Thalbourne, & Storm, 2013). Participants (N 5 162) were recruited via email and social media and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Exploratory principal axis factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution. Mysticism was correlated with SES scores, supporting convergent validity. However, the SES appears to neglect the crisis aspect of SE. As expected, results found that self-concept expanding beyond the here-and-now and mental boundaries predicted SES scores. In contrast, ego-grasping style did not predict SES scores. In conclusion, although in need of revision, the 30-item SES may be regarded as a promising measure of spiritual emergence but perhaps not emergency.