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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. k 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.
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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 randomized study were
Hispanic breast cancer caregivers and the researchers utilized a health-related quality of life
SPIRITUALITY AND LONELINESS 4
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.
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