A Creative Approach to Assessment

This chapter explores the suitability of an arts-based approach to the spiritual assessment of adolescents. Spirituality is a notoriously difficult concept to define, much less to measure. However, many practitioners in both religious and secular settings are increasingly concerned about promoting spiritual development among the youth that they serve. Some quantitative assessment tools already exist to measure youth spirituality; however, these may be of limited practical use within real-world contexts. Complete instructions and rubrics for two assessment activities are provided, followed by sample responses and a discussion about how to use the results and extend the activities for maximum impact. Initial research suggests that these and similar activities show great promise as qualitative instruments, which can elicit deeper understandings of adolescents' experiences of transcendence and ability to make meaning out of life circumstances.