Acceptability of the Fetzer/NIA Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality in a Sample of Community-Dwelling Black Adults

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the acceptability of the National Institute on Aging/Fetzer Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality in a sample of Black, community-dwelling, older adults using focus group inquiry (N =15). Design and Method: Focus group methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Three focus groups (N = 15) were conducted in two different urban settings in the northeastern part of the United States. Findings: Key findings were that (a) self-rating on religiousness was uncomfortable for many participants, (b) selfless was a word many participants confused with selfish, and (c) spirituality was an important concept. Conclusion: Overall, the Measure was found to be culturally acceptable and required little modification. Implications for Practice: Religious health beliefs such as “rebuking” or “not claiming” medical diagnoses are important considerations to bear in mind in seeking to understand the impact of religiousness on health in this population.

Keywords

older Blacks Fetzer Multidimensional Measure focus groups religiousness and spirituality psychometric evaluation older Black adults community-dwelling

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