The Spiritual Orientation Inventory (SOI): A multidimensional measure of humanistic spirituality

The Spirituality Orientation Inventory (SOI; Elkins et al., 1988) is a multidimensional measure of humanistic spirituality-i.e., spirituality that is not necessarily related to religion or to a religious context. The theory-based SOI has nine scales focusing on cognitive, experiential, and affective aspects of spirituality: (1) Transcendent dimension, (2) Meaning and purpose in life, (3) Mission in life, (4) Sacredness of life, (5) Material value, (6) Altruism, (7) Idealism, (8) Awareness of the tragic, and (9) Fruits of spirituality. This chapter presents the underlying theoretical assumptions and development of the SOI. Based on a review of over 20 peer-reviewed publications of empirical research using the SOI, this review focuses on the use of subscale scores, scale versions, response scale format, and translations, as well as reports of scale reliabilities and first-order and second-order factor structures followed by a critique of the measure. The lack of psychometric research on the SOI and the very fine distinctions between some of the nine scales is discussed. Finally, multicultural applications of SOI are discussed. In summary, the SOI is a reliable, valid, and useful multidimensional measure of spirituality with strong points as well as limitations. The careful researcher can make an informed choice as to use of the SOI in empirical spirituality research.