Spiritual health: Data supporting a revised definition based on spiritual need fulfillment

Previous articulations of spiritual health lack an objective framework for assessment and measurement. A revised definition of spiritual health that is supported by literature review bases spiritual health on the fulfillment of seven measurable spiritual needs. A telephone survey designed to assess the definitional accuracy, applicability and relevance of the definition was conducted through Old Dominion University's Social Science Research Center. The survey queried 870 adults (age 18-92) (39% male 69% female)(62.5% Caucasian, 1.8% Hispanic, 27% African American/Black, 1% Asian and 7.6% other/mixed/refused)(religious affiliation: 79% Christian, .7% Muslim, .7% Jewish, .3% Buddhist, .2% Hindu, 19.1% none/other/refused with 68.4% active participation). This survey determined: 1) accuracy of language describing spiritual health - 88% to 95% agreed or strongly agreed; 2) relevance of measurable parameters - 80% to 99% agreed or strongly agreed; 3) universal application - 69% to 97% agreed or strongly agreed; and, 4) validity as a tool for interfaith fulfillment - 74% to 94% agreed or strongly agreed. Percentile ranges reflect responses for the different individual spiritual needs. This data strongly suggests that the seven spiritual needs for community, honor, faith, love, joy, life work, and life lessons, are measurable aspects of spiritual health, are universal and important as human needs, are defined accurately, and can be fulfilled via directive from religious traditions. Measurement of spiritual need fulfillment provides an objective framework for spiritual health assessment and intervention.