Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience

Authors
Jared D. Kass, Richard Friedman, Jane Leserman, Patricia C. Zuttermeister, Herbert Benson
Publication
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Vol. 30, No. 2 (Jun. 1991), pp. 203-211
Abstract

Clinical observations suggesting a relationship between spiritual experiences, life purpose and satisfaction, and improvements in physical health led to the development of an Index of Core Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT). Data from 83 medical outpatients showed the INSPIRIT to have a strong degree of internal reliability and concurrent validity. Multiple regression analyses showed the INSPIRIT to be associated with: (1) increased life purpose and satisfaction, a health-promoting attitude; and (2) decreased frequency of medical symptoms.

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