Psychometric Analysis of the Life Perspectives Inventory and Implications for Assessing Characteristics of Adolescent Spirituality

Abstract

The psychometric properties of the Life Perspectives Inventory (LPI-English language version), a new instrument designed to assess characteristics associated with nonreligious spirituality in high school–age adolescents, were examined in two phases. Phase 1 demonstrated the survey’s factorial validity and internal consistency and the test–retest reliability of four derived dimensions (Optimistic Outlook, Purpose and Meaning in Life, Connection with the Divine, and Active Spirituality) with a large sample (N = 531) of Washington state high school students. In Phase 2, the LPI’s dimensionality was cross-validated using confirmatory factor analysis with more than 400 Michigan high school students. Alpha and stability coefficients computed with the Michigan sample provided further evidence for the LPI-E’s reliability. Implications for school counseling practice are included.

• assessment
• psychometrics
• spirituality
• adolescents
• school counseling

Notes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/orPUBLICation of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher A. Sink

Christopher A. Sink, PhD, NCC, LMHC, is a professor of Counselor Education at Seattle Pacific University. His research interests include social-emotional learning, evidence-based comprehensive school counseling programs, research methods in counselor education, and the integration of positive psychology and spirituality into school-based counseling.

Shawn A. Bultsma

Shawn A. Bultsma, PhD, LLPC, is an assistant professor of Counselor Education at Grand Valley State University. His research interests include professional school counselor supervision and training, multicultural issues in counselor education, and spiritual development of children and adolescents.