Psychometric Properties of the Farsi Version of Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale in Muslims: A Brief Report

Abstract

Over the past decade, researchers have paid increased attention to the relationship between religion and health. Although interest in research on religion and health in Iran is just beginning, it is growing rapidly. Despite the expanding research in this field and the need for cross-cultural validation of religion measures, few measures in Farsi, the official language of Iran, have been validated. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Farsi version of the Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale (Hoge IR Scale). The translation of the Hoge IR Scale into Farsi used a standard forward-backward translation method. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 573 medical students and physicians were administered the Hoge IR Scale along with the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). In the second phase, 147 nurses filled out the Hoge IR Scale. Reliability of the measure was tested by internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, or ICC). Factor structure of the measure was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was tested using correlation with DUREL total score. The Farsi version of the Hoge IR Scale has high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution for the Hoge IR Scale in the Phase I sample. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor model. We concluded that the Farsi version of the Hoge IR Scale is a reliable and valid measure of religiosity and may be used in clinical and research settings among Farsi-speaking populations.