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Results
A total of 20 active-duty sailors, 50% males and 50% females, participated in
this study (Figure 1). Gender was measured but was not an included factor. Age,
education, and rank was also not requested or incorporated into the analysis.
To test the hypothesis, a Pearson’s correlation was used to examine the
relationship between loneliness and intrinsic spirituality. The Revised UCLA Loneliness
Scale and Intrinsic Spirituality Scale scores were computed by adding responses to
the questions in each scale resulting in a possible score range 0-24 with the Revised
UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Intrinsic Spirituality Scale score range being 6-24.
There was a negative correlation (Table 1) between the two variables, r = -.005, n =
20, p = .98, making the null hypothesis correct: there was no significant association
between intrinsic spirituality and loneliness, as shown in Figure 1.
Table 1. Correlation of loneliness and intrinsic spirituality
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Figure 1
Discussion
This study was conducted to further explore the complexities and connection
between loneliness and intrinsic spirituality. Prior, research results have been
conflicting with outcomes varied and the result to this study adds to the
inconsistencies by there being no proof of higher intrinsic spirituality lowering the
feeling of loneliness. c The goal of this study was to continue the exploration of
protective factors and indicators of loneliness, and the exclusion of additional variables
created a limited assessment. Another limitation of this study was the lack of time to
arrange a specialized presentation for participants to cover definitions and to arrange a
more private setting to fill out the questionnaires.
SPIRITUALITY AND LONELINESS 3
In previous research, results have varied with demonstrating a correlation
between spirituality, loneliness, age, and other influences. The study conducted by
Cacioppo (2016), utilized a multivariate model that indicated positive association with
perceived stress, age, childhood trauma, and organizational citizenship behavior within
active-duty soldiers. But the findings noted a negative association with frequency of
contact with family and friends, relationship satisfaction with friends and platoon
members (Cacioppo et al., 2016). Loneliness was assessed using the Revised UCLA
Loneliness Scale 9-item survey, with emotional and physical health being assessed by
the Short Form (36) Health Survey, and PTSD symptoms were assessed using a 4-
item short version of the PTSD Checklist-Military version.
A few studies within the civilian sector have shown no significant interaction
between religiosity and psychological well-being, as explored within a study that was
done in the Greek Orthodox Christian community with over three hundred participants.
But a noteworthy finding is women being more spiritual than men, however, more
women participated in the study (Leondari & Gialamas, 2009). This is something to
further explore especially with the military being largely made up of males. The
Satisfaction with Life Scale was used to assess life satisfaction, anxiety, depression,
and anxiety, while the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale was implemented to assess
loneliness. One-way ANOVAs were used to examine differences between three groups
broken up their beliefs on God.
In the research conducted by King et al (2022), there was a significant
association between spirituality and wellbeing, and people that reported better
spirituality had better health, and reported feeling less lonely. The participants in this
SPIRITUALITY AND LONELINESS 4
randomized study were Hispanic breast cancer caregivers and the researchers utilized a
health-related quality of life and Spiritual Well-Being Scale questionnaire/self-report.
Similarly to this study and others, a Likert scale was used.
With there being limited studies performed within the military community,
investigating, and utilizing research performed within civilian communities can provide
a roadway and key information on conducting future studies, and with collecting and
assessing data. In addition to some research suggesting loneliness increases aggressive
behavior and depressive symptoms, two behaviors that have proven detrimental in the
military, this topic requires further exploration. With PTSD, depression, and suicides
plaguing military veterans and active-duty service members, continued exploration is
needed in order to identify those at risk and to create proactive measures.
SPIRITUALITY AND LONELINESS 5
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