Means-ends spirituality questionnaire: Reliability, validity and relationship to psychological well-being

Research on the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being is increasingly focused on identifying aspects of religious/spiritual involvement that have a salutary effect on mental health and those that do not. The current study proposes that it matters to one's well-being what religious/spiritual goals are sought and which means are used to attain those goals. The current study examines the functional relationship between spiritual/religious means and ends in regards to psychological well-being. Study 1 examines the reliability and validity of a new spirituality means-ends questionnaire (M-E SQ); Study 2 examines the utility of the instrument in predicting psychological well-being. Three dimensions of spiritual goal strivings were assessed: approach-avoidance orientation, ordinary-unseen reality, and autonomous-external control. Results indicated one of two latent means factors, devotional but not transformational means, was associated with high levels of well-being. Two ends dimensions of avoidance and ordinary goals were associated with low levels of well-being. Interestingly, the deleterious effects of avoidance and ordinary goals appear to be moderated by how one scores on devotional or transformational means, or approach goals. The present study demonstrates the utility of a means-ends framework for identifying relevant spiritual variables to add to our understanding of the religion-mental health link.