Development and Validation of Hindu Gratitude Scale (HGS-15): A Rnas Perspective

AbstractResearchers have proposed culture- and religion-based variations in experience and expression of gratitude. Accordingly, the present study developed and validated a Hindu Gratitude Scale (HGS) based on Hindu notion ofrnas. Thernas are sacred obligations (duties) that every Hindu is supposed to fulfil during their lifetime. These pious obligations are practised to acknowledge, honour, and appreciate others ’ contribution in one’s life. These five holy duties arePit ṛ-yajna, Bhūta-yajna, Manuṣya-yajna, Deva-yajna, andBrahma-yajna. The study started withrnas-based conceptualisation of gratitude followed by item generation using both inductive and deductive approaches. These statements were subjected to content validity and pretesting, which resulted in nineteen items. The psychometric properties of proposed HGS (with nineteen items) were analysed with the help of three studies. The first study evaluated factorial validity of the proposed HGS using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a sample of 1032 respondents. Poor factor loading in EFA suggested removal of three statements. The EFA recommended five dimensions of the HGS —appreciation for family, ancestors, and cultural values (AFF), appreciation for family, ancestors, and cultural values (AFF), appreciation for God, appreciation for knowledge, skills, and talents, and appreciation for ecosystem. Further, CFA also suggested removal of one statement. Lastly, the EF A...

Source: Journal of Religion and Health - September 24, 2023 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research