Polish Validation of the Views of Suffering Scale: Factorial Structure, Psychometric Properties and Clinical Applications

Religious beliefs about the causes and meaning of human suffering remain understudied despite their potential relevance to psychological and spiritual functioning. To address this gap, we adapted the Views of Suffering Scale (VOSS) for use with Polish samples. Across three studies, we examined the psychometric properties and clinical correlates of the Polish VOSS. Study 1 ( N = 565) tested the internal structure using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); Study 2 ( N = 219) examined convergent and discriminant validity; and Study 3 ( N = 346) explored associations with indicators of psychological well-being and distress. Results supported a multidimensional ten-factor structure consistent with the original scale, with acceptable reliability and satisfactory construct validity. Benevolent views of suffering were positively associated with religious commitment, perceived divine engagement, and life satisfaction. In contrast, non-benevolent views were associated with lower religious commitment and higher levels of stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and religious/spiritual struggles. Overall, the findings suggest that the Polish VOSS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing diverse beliefs about suffering and their associations with religious, psychological, and spiritual functioning.