Spiritual Emergency, Psychosis, and Personality: A quantitative investigation

Abstract

<p>Spiritual emergency (SE) is a process of spiritual emergence that becomes a psychological crisis and may appear identical to clinical psychosis. This study attempted to validate Goretzki, Thalbourne and Storm's (2009) Spiritual Emergency Subscales (SES), and Experiences of Psychotic Symptoms Scale (EPSS) as measures of SE and psychosis, respectively. The study also investigated whether personality traits (i.e., transliminality, dissociation, sensitivity, openness to change, tension and abstractedness) predicted SES and EPSS scores. Two hundred and twenty-four participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Factor analysis revealed that the SES is a multidimensional scale. Results showed preliminary support for the reliability of both scales and the validity of the EPSS. However, the SES may not be sufficiently capturing the crisis aspect of SE. Transliminality predicted scores on both scales, while dissociation and emotional stability predicted EPSS scores. In conclusion, results indicate that the SES requires modification if it is to be a valid measure of SE.</p>