A critique of quantitative measures for assessing spirituality and spiritual well-being

This chapter provides an analytical review of nearly 300 ways in which people have attempted quantitative assessments of spirituality or spiritual health/well-being (SH/WB) over the last 40 years. They range from single-item to multi-item measures. Each item in these measures has been classified using the theoretical framework provided by the author's four domains model of spiritual health & well-being. Some considered thoughts are presented relating to the purpose and ways of assessing spirituality and spiritual well-being. Types and forms of spirituality and spiritual well-being measures are discussed. Single-item measures are compared with multiple-item measures. A summary table is then presented containing 260 studies with distinct multi-item measures which pertain to spirituality, spiritual well-being and related measures in general populations, university student groups, school students and teachers, and in healthcare settings. These measures are all critiqued for content against the four domains model of spiritual health and well-being. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved