Revisiting Louis Fry’s spiritual leadership model in confessional school teachers using structural equation modeling (SEM)

Abstract

This paper examines the construct validity of the spiritual leadership model proposed by (Fry et al. 2005). The analysis focused on examining the relationships proposed by the model through CFA and structural equation modeling (SEM). A confirmatory factor analysis indicated the SL scale provides acceptable reliability and convergent validity indexes; however, it did not achieve discriminant validity. Model convergence was obtained using MLR (Robust Maximum Likelihood) methods. However, when the robustness indices were analyzed, it was found that some obtained acceptable results and others were deficient, so that an acceptable model fit was not achieved. Regarding the relationship between the hypotheses, it was found that they were significant in all cases except for the reciprocal relationship between vision and altruistic love. In light of this finding, alternative models were developed that also failed to yield significant results. The theoretical and methodological discussion focuses on the relationships of Fry’s model and addresses the need to review its causal nature, considering recursive and non-recursive aspects.