Evaluating The Measure Of Diverse Adolescent Spirituality In Samples Of Mexican And Salvadoran Youth

This study examines the psychometric properties and applicability of the Measure of Diverse Adolescent Spirituality (MDAS), including the factors of transcendence and fidelity, across 2 samples of adolescent youth from low- and middle-income countries (Mexico and El Salvador). Drawing on relational developmental systems metatheory, spirituality is conceptualized as experience of and response to one's perception of transcendence. Although an increasing number of spirituality measures exist, few are theoretically predicated and developed for use with adolescents with various spiritual orientations. We present data testing the MDAS across 2 youth samples, aged 12 to 15 years, derived from previous studies conducted in Mexico (n = 365; M-age = 13.65 years) and in El Salvador (n = 220; M-age = 12.98 years). We confirmed the measurement structure of the MDAS and tested for between-groups measurement invariance across the two samples. Invariance was established across the Mexico and El Salvador samples, providing initial evidence regarding the usefulness and applicability of the transcendence and fidelity components of the MDAS across these samples. Implications are discussed regarding the use of a multidimensional measure of spirituality that assesses both spiritual experience and commitment among adolescents.