Factor Structure of the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) in Persons with Chronic Diseases, Elderly and Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Abstract:The Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) is an established measure of psychosocial, existential and spiritual needs. Its 4-factor structure has been primarily validated in persons with chronic diseases, but until now has not been done in elderly and stressed healthy populations. Therefore, we tested the factor structure of the SpNQ in: (1) persons with chronic diseases (n = 627); (2) persons with chronic disease plus elderly (n = 940); (3) healthy persons (i.e., adults and elderly) (n = 1468); and (4) chronically ill, elderly, and healthy persons together (n = 2095). The suggested structure was then validated using structured equation modelling (SEM). The 4-factor structure of the 20-item SpNQ (SpNQ-20) was confirmed, differentiating Religious Needs, Existential Needs, Inner Peace Needs, and Giving/Generativity Needs. The psychometric properties of the measure indicated (CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.04 and SRMR = 0.03), with good reliability indices (Cronbach's alpha varying from 0.71 to 0.81). This latest version of the SpNQ provides researchers with a reliable and valid instrument that can now be used in comparative studies. Cultural and religious differences can be addressed using their different language versions, assuming the SpNQ's structure is maintained.

Spiritual needs and their association with indicators of quality of life among non-terminally ill cancer patients: Cross-sectional survey

“…A convenience sample of 227 non-terminally ill and hospitalized oncology patients was interviewed face-to-face with Lithuanian versions of the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (Büssing et al, , 2018, Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (Büssing et al, 2009), and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (Hills and Argyle, 2002). The set of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics was collected using an investigator-developed form.…”

How students understand spirituality and spiritual care: Descriptive study on a sample of bachelor nursing students from Slovenia

“…Westera (2017) summarises the spiritual needs that nurses might recognise in patients during nursing care as follows: a need for meaning and purpose, for love, connection and harmonious relations; for giving and receiving forgiveness; for hope and strength; for religious practices, rituals and being connected with God or a higher power; for beauty and creativity, the need for trust and preparation for death. As found by Büssing et al (2018), spiritual needs are present in different groups of people (the healthy and sick, all ages and genders), but with different given importance, and are relevant and valid constructs for understanding an individual's endeavour to achieve spiritual well-being. Spiritual needs are also the starting point of spiritual care.…”

Measuring Spirituality and Religiosity in Clinical Settings: A Scoping Review of Available Instruments

“…Büssing and colleagues developed this measure in a heterogeneous sample of 210 German patients with chronic pain conditions and cancer . However, at the time of writing our review, Büssing and colleagues further published an article increasing the validity of this measure by examining the structure of the SpNQ in a large sample of ill and healthy younger and elderly adults (n-2095) (Büssing et al 2018). The SpNQ has also been translated into several languages including Chinese (Bussing et al 2013a) and Persian (Moeini et al 2018).…”