Date of Award

6-1990

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology

Abstract

The reliability and construct validity of Gorsuch's (1968) adjective rating scale of concept of God (COG) was investigated. Two separate samples of 72 and 197 participants were utilized to complete four statistical analyses: (a) test-retest reliability was computed on a sample of 120 participants; (b) measures of internal consistency were computed providing coefficient alpha's for each scale of the COG; (c) the COG was correlated with the Spiritual Well-Being scale, the Spiritual Maturity Index, the Religious Orientation Scale, and the Spiritual Distress Scale; (d) a confirmatory factor analysis was completed hypothesizing both a one- and four-factor model. The four-factor model was based upon a review of the literature. The degree to which these models provide an accurate estimate of the factor structure of the COG was assessed using the chi-square statistic, the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index, and the Tucker-Lewis Index of goodness of fit. The results revealed encouraging support for test-retest reliability of the COG. In addition, the correlations of the COG with the other religious measures provided support for the construct validity of the COG. However, the results from the confirmatory factor analyses did not support the factorial construct validity of the COG. Neither the hypothesized four-factor nor one-factor models were confirmed. A scale-level exploratory factor analysis revealed that a two-factor solution provides the best explanation for the COG scales with this sample. In addition, significant skewness of the COG was noted in this investigation. The COG in its present form should be used only as a research instrument, until questions concerning its construct validity have been resolved. In addition, many of the scales are limited to the interpretation of only high or low scores due to skewness. This skewness results in ceiling or floor effects for many of the scales. Because of the apparent usefulness of an instrument such as the COG to professionals in both the mental health and religious community, continued development of the scale is recommended.

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