An evaluation of the brief multidimensional measure of religiousness/spirituality in older patients with prior depression or anxiety

Abstract

The Primary objective of the study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality (BMMRS) in older adults. Older adults (N = 66) completed a survey in-person or over the phone. Measures included the BMMRS, Religious Problem Solving Scale, Brief Religious Coping Scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Spiritual Well-being, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Cronbach's alphas evaluated internal consistency, zero-order correlations tested construct validity, and multiple regressions assessed the association of BMMRS domains with well-being. Most BMMRS domains were reliable and valid. Collectively, they explained 26% to 68% of the variance in well-being and psychological symptoms. Daily spiritual experiences uniquely predicted spiritual well-being, satisfaction with life, and depressive symptoms. The BMMRS is useful in older populations and may help identify those who could benefit from religious or spiritually integrated therapy.

Keywords:

• religion
• spirituality
• measurement
• elderly
• depression
• anxiety
• brief multidimensional measure of religiousness and spirituality

Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence [HFP90-020] and by a grant from the Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). The views expressed reflect those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Veterans Affairs (Baylor College of Medicine).