Is there an affective neuroscience of spirituality? The development and validation of the OCEANic feelings scale

A new self-report questionnaire, the OCEANic scale, was developed to measure individual dispositions toward oceanic feelings—affective sensations of self-dissolution, unity, and transcendence. In a sample of 626 participants, confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model (positive and negative oceanic feelings) with an overall factor, showing excellent fit. The scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.82 to 0.88) and correlated plausibly with measures of primary emotions (ANGER, FEAR, CARE, SEEK, PLAY, SADNESS, LUST) and Big Five personality traits. The instrument enables operationalization of oceanic feelings for future research on affective life and spirituality.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Oceanic feelings represent a phenomenological structure of affective sensations that characteristically involve feelings of self-dissolution and feelings of unity and transcendence. This study presents the preliminary version of a self-report instrument to measure individual dispositions toward oceanic feelings in order to enable further research within the concept of primary emotions postulated by Jaak Panksepp. Methods: = 626), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and emerged scales were related to the already established instruments for the assessment of primary emotions (BANPS-GL) and Big Five personality traits (BFI-44). Results: The OCEANic scale exhibited reliabilities ranging from Cronbach's α = 0.82 (positive) to α = 0.88 (negative) and plausible correlations with behavioral traits related to the seven affective neurobiological systems (ANGER, FEAR, CARE, SEEK, PLAY, SADNESS, and LUST) as well as with personality factors measured by the Big Five Inventory. For CFA, a bifactorial model with an overall factor demonstrated good fit: RMSEA = 0.00 (90% CI:0.00, 0.03); TLI = 1.00; CFI = 1.00; NFI = 0.99. Discussion: The OCEANic scale enables the operationalization of oceanic feelings comprising two subscales and one total scale. The results indicate good reliability and acceptable factorial validity. Establishment and further validation of the OCEANic scale within future research will be needed to fully understand the role of oceanic feelings within the human affective life, especially the personality trait of spirituality.