quantitative methods

Development and validation of the State Moral Elevation Scale: Assessing state-level elevation across nonclinical and clinical samples

Given the inconsistencies with measurements used to assess state-level experiences of moral elevation, and insufficient psychometric analyses for commonly used measures, the State Moral Elevation Scale (SMES) was developed and tested using an online sample (Nā€‰=ā€‰930) including clinical and nonclincial (general) subsamples. Results from this study identified a 9-item measure with 1) excellent reliability, 2) good fit statistics and strict measurement invariance across clinical and nonclinical subsamples, and 3) evidence of construct validity for both subsamples. Findings suggest the SMES is a psychometrically valid and reliable assessment tool for state-level elevation which can be used in both general and clinical populations.