Introduction

The Faith Development Interview Guide (FDIG) is a qualitative assessment instrument developed to explore how individuals construct, experience, and develop faith throughout their lives. Based on James W. Fowler’s Faith Development Theory, the FDIG examines the cognitive, emotional, moral, and social dimensions of faith through in-depth interviews. Rather than measuring faith quantitatively, it seeks to understand the personal meaning and developmental processes underlying an individual’s spiritual journey.

Description

The FDIG is a semi-structured qualitative interview that explores several core domains of faith development, including:

  • Personal history and significant life experiences.
  • Religious and spiritual practices.
  • Theological beliefs and worldview.
  • Moral values and ethical decision-making.
  • Social and community influences on faith.

The interview encourages participants to reflect on their experiences, allowing researchers and clinicians to examine patterns of faith development across different life stages.

Purpose

The FDIG is designed to:

  • Explore individual faith development.
  • Examine spiritual identity across the lifespan.
  • Investigate factors influencing religious beliefs.
  • Support qualitative psychological and theological research.
  • Enhance understanding of personal meaning-making and spirituality.

Administration

The FDIG is administered as a face-to-face or online semi-structured interview conducted by a trained interviewer. Depending on the depth of exploration, interviews typically require 45–90 minutes and are audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis.

Data Analysis

Unlike quantitative questionnaires, the FDIG does not generate numerical scores. Interview transcripts are analyzed using thematic analysis, qualitative coding, or other established qualitative methodologies to identify recurring themes, developmental patterns, and stages of faith.

Interpretation

Interpretation focuses on understanding how participants construct meaning, express spiritual beliefs, and integrate faith into their personal, social, and moral lives. Findings are interpreted within Fowler’s theoretical framework while considering each participant’s cultural, religious, and developmental context.

Statistical Analysis

Although the FDIG is qualitative, studies using the instrument may employ:

  • Thematic analysis.
  • Content analysis.
  • Grounded theory.
  • Narrative analysis.
  • Inter-rater reliability assessment for coding consistency.
  • Mixed-methods approaches integrating qualitative and quantitative findings.

Applications

The FDIG is widely used in:

  • Psychology of religion.
  • Developmental psychology.
  • Theology and religious studies.
  • Counseling and pastoral care.
  • Qualitative health and spirituality research.

Advantages

  • Provides rich, in-depth qualitative data.
  • Explores multiple dimensions of faith development.
  • Flexible across religious and cultural backgrounds.
  • Well suited for developmental and longitudinal research.

Limitations

The FDIG requires trained interviewers, substantial time for data collection and analysis, and careful interpretation of qualitative findings. Because it does not produce standardized numerical scores, comparisons across studies may require consistent coding frameworks.

References

Fowler, J. W. (1981). Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning.

Fowler, J. W., & Dell, M. L. (2004). Stages of Faith and Identity: Birth to Teens.

Parks, S. D. (2000). Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith.

Streib, H. (2005). Faith Development Research at Twenty Years..