To get a better sense of your standing on the different aspects of ST‚ you can find your score on each of the three facets. For Prayer Fulfillment‚ add your point values for items 1‚ 4‚ and 8. Finding your gender and age group in the above table‚ look to see what the average range of scores are. If your score is in this range‚ this indicates that there are times when you derive some emotional satisfaction from prayer and/or mediation. However‚ there are times when the pressures of daily life interfere with‚ or prevent‚ you from engaging in such practices. If your score is higher‚ then you are someone who has cr‎eated a space in your life that is devoted to meditation and prayer on a regular basis. Individuals who score high tend to find a personal sense of emotional satisfaction‚ strength‚ and support in their efforts to connect with some larger reality. Time spent in this positive solitude provides fortification and feelings of emotional renewal during times of crisis and stress. Those who score lower than the average tend not to involve themselves with this type of inner work. Any efforts at meditation or prayer are more haphazard in nature and superficial in depth. Such individuals are easily distracted by the immediate demands of their lives from meditative pursuits.

For Universality‚ add your scores for items 6‚ 7‚ and 9. Again‚ the table provides the average range of scores. Such scores reflect a belief that there are some things in life to which the person feels close (e.g.‚ people‚ organizations)‚ but there are also aspects of life to which the individual may feel distant or believe to be alien. High scores represent a belief that all of life is interconnected. There is the belief that all people share a common bond and heritage that supercedes any external differences. Seeing humanity as a single‚ interrelated body breeds a broad respect for others and a corresponding need to protect life in all its forms. Hurting any one element may hurt the whole. Low scores reflect a more "go it alone" type attitude; that each person needs to rely on him/herself. Humanity may be viewed as simply a collection of individuals‚ some may be seen as more similar to self than others. There can be a "we versus they" mentality.

For Connectedness‚ add your scores to items 2‚ 3‚ and 5. Average scores reflect a belief that relationships are important but one's commitment to others may be limited to certain individuals. High scores represent a belief that a person is like a hub of a wheel‚ with spokes radiating out in all directions. These "spokes" represent relationships one has‚ as well as obligations‚ to those who preceded the person (e.g.‚ parents‚ grandparents‚ one's ancestors)‚ to those who co-occupy the current world both immediately (current family‚ friends‚ co-workers) and distally (strangers who may be in need)‚ to those who will come after (e.g.‚ children‚ grandchildren‚ future generations). Those who score high on this dimension experience a special sense of responsibility (and gratitude) for the many gifts received from those who came before; recognize a need to grow these gifts through sharing with others; and see an obligation to insure that the wisdom and wealth of this generations is transmitted to those who come after. Low scores reflect a potential difficulty to find a sense of belonging and meaning within any type of group or community. Such individuals may have feelings of isolation and/or alienation from others. Low scores would reflect a tendency to view one's life only from the immediacy of one's personal history.

The ASPIRES measures both spirituality and religiosity. It comes in both a long form (35 items) and a short form (13 items). To receive a free specimen set contact Dr. Piedmont at RPiedmont@loyola.edu.