The FACIT-Sp spiritual wellbeing scale: a factor analysis in patients with severe and/or life-limiting medical illnesses.

BACKGROUND

The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp) is a widely used measure of spiritual wellbeing. However, consensus on the best factor structure for this measure has not been reached. Both a 2-factor (Meaning/Peace, Faith) and a 3-factor (Meaning, Peace, Faith) structure are reported in the literature. In this study, we examined the factorial structure of the FACIT-Sp in a population of patients with severe and/or life-limiting medical illnesses.

METHODS

The present study is a part of a larger study that validated the National Institute of Health-Healing Experiences of All Life Stressors (NIH-HEALS), a measure of psycho-social-spiritual healing developed by the Pain and Palliative Care Service at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (NIH-CC). The sample included 200 subjects who were recruited from the NIH Clinical Center inpatient units and outpatient clinics with severe and/or life limiting illnesses (cancer, non-genetic conditions, genetic conditions, blood dyscrasias). FACIT-Sp is a 12-item questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = not at all; 4 = very much). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze results and to identify the number of latent constructs and underlying factor structure.

RESULTS

The results supported the 3-factor (Meaning, Peace, and Faith) model of the FACIT-Sp and accounted for the most variability (74.20%), followed by the 2-factor solution (64.95%). The identified factors related to Faith, Peace, and Meaning and were consistent with previously reported 3-factor model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the 3-factor structure of FACIT-Sp. This information can inform interventions aimed at improving quality of life and spiritual wellbeing in clinical and palliative care settings.