The Effects of Spirituality and Grit Among Adults Aged 30 and Above

Abstract

Spirituality and grit are two essential concepts in human life. A person’s religious or spiritual beliefs come from their components of culture, attitudes, and experiences. For example, many studies have shown that women tend to have a higher level of spirituality. In addition, the older people become, the more their relationship with God and desire to achieve their goals increases.

Introduction

Spirituality and grit are two essential concepts in human life. Scientists all over the world have researched to establish the relationship between spirituality and grit. A person’s religious or spiritual beliefs come from their components of culture, attitudes, and experiences. Many studies have shown that women tend to have a higher level of spirituality (Bryant, 2007). Hodge et al. (2022) conducted a study amongst marginalized groups, specifically black Americans. The results indicated that an individual’s connection to God and high hopes for work could significantly boost perseverance. Disabato et al. discussed the relevance of grit to well-being. Another study used surveys to gather information from 275 full-time employees in Delhi-NCR, India. Jin & Kim (2017) conducted descriptive research to examine employees’ spiritual level. The researchers administered a structured online questionnaire to 120 employees of private concern. The results indicated that the personal life of the workforce in most private firms was slightly above average in terms of spirituality (Barton & Miller, 2015). This finding suggests that spirituality and grit are closely related.

Underwood (2011) defines the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) as a self-report tool comprising 16 items personalized to study average encounters of religious life. Within this scale, paradigms include admiration, appreciation, compassion, and empathetic love (Underwood, 2011). It has gained popularity in various fields of study, even though it was initially for health research. The tool has also been reproduced in multiple languages to widen its scope of use (Underwood, 2011). Even though it lacks a shorter version, an adaptation with six items is available. Extensive qualitative assessment was done in various groups during the development of this tool, making it applicable in several fields. The researchers used this tool to show how spirituality and religion have much in common. It also accommodates the part of the study population that may not identify with the language of theology (Duckworth et al. 2007).

Spirituality and religion have a lot in common, and we can predict that high spirituality among adults above the age of thirty is associated with a stronger correlation with grit. The present study tested the hypothesis with a sample of adults aged thirty and above who may or may not have a spiritual relationship with God. The literature review shows a strong association between spirituality and grit among humans in general.

Participants

Out of the thirty individuals invited, 24 completed the online survey. The final sample consisted of 10 men and 14 women, whose mean age was 42.54. In addition, each participant disclosed their age and gender, where the mean age was 42.54.

Materials

The researcher reviewed the variables of interest given by the Professor to prepare for the study. The brief form of Underwood’s survey helped measure the participants’ experiences with God or whom they would consider their holy divine. Six questions obtained allowed the participants to answer each question using the Likert 5-point scale. Participants used a range from 1 (maximum) to 6 (minimum or none) (Underwood, 2011).

Procedure

The researcher recruited a sample of participants via email, Facebook, and a local bible study. The researchers then received the study’s concept, disclosures, and instructions on completing the survey.

Analysis

The researcher then conducted the preliminary data analysis using SPSS 29.0.0.0. The responses to the six questions affiliated with Daily Spiritual Experiences ranged from 1-(max) to 6(min). Similarly, the researcher also classified the responses to the twelve items relating to grit into five groups extending from 1 to 5. The researcher then tabulated the responses to each given item with a clear heading representing each question used in the survey. Afterward, the researcher averaged the responses affiliated with each variable for every participant for analysis in SPSS. He then performed an R-correlational study on the average values to examine the association between spirituality and grit. The operational definition for determination was well-defined using the Duckworth et al. (2007) model. For the sake of the current research, the nerve is continuously and strenuously working to overcome barriers or challenges while maintaining one’s effort and passion despite failure and hardships. The operational definition of spirituality considers the beliefs, practices, culture, and relationship with God or a divine or holy power (Underwood, 2011). Along with the previous survey, the current poll acknowledged the participant is deciphering their spiritual wording outside of God; if the term or name God was uncomfortable.

Therefore, the researcher did Pearson’s R Correlation Coefficient. The analysis showed that the participants who answered spirituality between 3(maximum) and 1(minimum) with a higher concept or correlation with grit. The mean for spirituality was 3.22, and determination was 2.97. This result implies people generally have an average spirituality and hence an average level of perseverance.

Results

In a sample of 30 participants, 80% completed the survey, attaining recommended inclusion criteria. Among the participants, 42% represented males, while the remaining 58% were females. The average spirituality was 3.215, and grit was depicted as 2.972 among the participants. A high spirituality level among adults above 30 years and grit strongly correlate.

Table 1: The average spirituality and grit with an obtained standard deviation

Figure 1: The relationship between average grit and average spirituality

Table 2 shows, the relationship between tenacity and spirituality among the sample. According to the data, there is a statistically significant positive relationship between spirituality and tenacity (.866). If the p-value is less than 0.05, then the hypothesis being tested is correct (Andrade, 2019).

Table 2: The correlation between grit and spirituality

Discussion

Spirituality and tenacity strongly correlate among those over the age of 30. The study’s findings show that grit and spirituality are significantly correlated among persons aged 30 to 60, with a score of 0.866 indicating this. Additionally, a significant value of p < .001 (2- tailed test) was established from the findings. A positive correlation indicates a strong relationship between values (Gogtay et al., 2017). Additionally, a study by Andrade (2019) shows that a p-value less than 0.05 indicates more substantial significance.

The sampling method used poses a risk of business. The research aimed to reveal a spiritual relationship to grit. However, some of the participants selected and invited were Facebook friends, making it impossible to determine whether they were religious people. Additionally, participants invited via other social media platforms posed a possibility of the business. The results obtained from the strategy of a random specific sample could significantly vary the test. Additionally, invitations through social media platforms provide nonguaranteed that the results represent the perception of a significant majority in America. The distribution is not guaranteed, making it difficult to ascertain that the result depicts what American adults aged between 30 to 60 perceive concerning grit and spirituality.

A correlation of 0.86 and a p < .001 value of p show a significant connection between spirituality and grit. The findings support the research study by Hodge et al. (2019), which established that spirituality and grit have a direct and positive relationship. In addition, a research study by Bryant (2007) stated that women tend to have higher spirituality. According to the finding in our research, the mean value of spirituality was greater than grit, as depicted by 3.21 against 2.97. Since women formed most participants, the results support the belief that women are more spiritual.

The older people become, the more their relationship with God and desire to achieve their goals increases. Additionally, since the average for spirituality was higher than grit, it can be argued that the older people become, the more spiritual they become. Therefore, policies formed for humanity should ensure they can achieve their desires and goals as they grow older. Researchers on the topic should consider using a random sampling technique with the physical distribution of questionnaires to participants in religious groups over a wide coverage area.

Conclusion

Scientists have developed a tool that allows people to test their spirituality and grit by analyzing how well they use the language of religion in everyday life. Scientists used this method to demonstrate the commonalities between spirituality and organized religion. This tool’s extensive qualitative examination of different groups throughout development may be used in various contexts. A shorter version is not accessible; however, a variant with just six pieces has been created. The connection between spirituality and perseverance has been the subject of many studies by scientists from many disciplines. For example, numerous studies have revealed that women are more spiritual than males.

References

Andrade, C. (2019). The P value and statistical significance: misunderstandings, explanations, challenges, and alternatives. Indian Journal of psychological medicine, 41(3), 210-215

Barton, Y. A., & Miller, L. (2015). Spirituality and positive psychology go hand in hand: An investigation of multiple empirically derived profiles and related protective benefits. Journal of religion and health, 54(3), 829-843

Bryant, A. N. (2007). Gender differences in spiritual development during the college years. Sex Roles, 56(11), 835-846.

Disabato, D. J., Goodman, F. R., & Kashdan, T. B. (2018). Is grit relevant to well?being and strengths? Evidence across the globe for separating perseverance of effort and consistency of interests. Journal of Personality, 87(2), 194–211.

Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087

Gogtay, N. J., & Thatte, U. M. (2017). Principles of correlation analysis. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 65(3), 78-81.

Hodge, D. R., Hong, P. Y. P., & Choi, S. (2019). Spirituality, employment hope, and grit: Modeling the relationship among underemployed urban African Americans. Social Work Research, 43(1), 43-52. 

Jin, B., & Kim, J. (2017). Grit, basic needs satisfaction, and subjective well-being. Journal of Individual Differences, 38(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001/a000219results. Religions, 2(1), 29-50. Underwood, L. G. (2011).

Appendix

Disclosure: I am asking you to complete this survey as part of the requirements for my statistics project in a graduate-level psychology course. Your answers will remain completely anonymous. No personal information about you will be linked to this survey. Please do not put your name or other identifying information on the survey. The results of this survey will be used only for educational purposes and will not be published or released to the public.

*You must be 18 years old or older to complete this survey.

1. What is your age? _________  
2. Gender:
3. Answer options (select one): Male, Female, Other

Directions: The following list includes items you may or may not experience. Please consider how often you directly have this experience and try to disregard whether you feel you should or should not have these experiences. Several items use the word ‘God.’ If this word is not comfortable for you, please substitute another word that calls to mind “the divine or holy for you.”

Daily Spiritual Experience Scale

Directions: Please consider the following statements about grit, perseverance, or passion for achieving goals. And provide one response per question.

Factor and Grit Scale item

7. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me 5-very much like me

8. New ideas and new projects sometimes distract me from previous ones. a

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me 5-very much like me

9. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me 5-very much like me

10. My interests change from year to year. a

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me 5-very much like me

11. I have been obsessed with a particular idea or project for a short time but later lost interest. a

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me 

12. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me

13. I have achieved a goal that took years of work.

   1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me

14. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.

  1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me

15. I finish whatever I begin.

  1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me

16. Setbacks don’t discourage me.

  1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me

17. I am a hard worker.

  1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me

18. I am diligent.

1-not at all like me   2-slightly like me   3-neutral   4-somewhat like me   5-very much like me