Psychometric Testing of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) Among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Sexual Minority Men (SMM) and Black Transwomen in the Deep South: The MARI Study

Abstract

Spirituality is a well-established protective psychosocial determinant of health. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) among Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men (SMM) and Black transwomen (TW) in the Deep South. Data were collected via self-interview technology and analyzed using factor analyses and correlation coefficients. We demonstrated a single-factor structure of the DSES with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96). DSES was positively and significantly associated with multiple dimensions of religion, resilience, optimism and social support and not significantly associated with cynicism and anger expressions. Spirituality should be included in HIV prevention, treatment and care strategies focused on Black SMM and Black TW, especially those residing in the Deep South, USA.

Keywords: Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES); Optimism; Resilience; Sexual minority men (SMM) and transwomen; Social support.