Digital illustration of a praying silhouette, symbolizing online connectivity and the Duke Religion Index.

Is Your Faith Reflected Online? Exploring the Digital Duke Religion Index

Elliot Brynn in Mind & Education September 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study validates the online version of the Duke Religion Index, revealing its reliability and offering a fresh approach to measuring religiosity in the digital age."

In an era increasingly shaped by digital interactions, understanding how traditional concepts translate to online environments is crucial. Religiosity, a deeply personal and influential aspect of many individuals' lives, is no exception. The Duke Religion Index (DUREL), a well-established tool for assessing organized, non-organized, and intrinsic religiosity, has been a cornerstone in studies examining the relationship between faith, mental health, and overall well-being.

Recognizing the growing importance of online research methodologies, a recent study has investigated the psychometric properties of the DUREL when administered via a virtual platform. This innovative approach opens new avenues for data collection and broadens the scope of research on religiosity, especially within the fields of mental health and public health.

This article delves into the findings of this study, exploring the validity and reliability of the online DUREL, and what it means for future research and understanding the role of faith in the digital age. By examining how the online version compares to the traditional paper-based DUREL, we can gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of religiosity research.

DUREL: A Digital Transformation of Faith Measurement

Digital illustration of a praying silhouette, symbolizing online connectivity and the Duke Religion Index.

The original Duke Religion Index (DUREL), developed by Koenig, Parkerson, and Meador, is a concise 5-item questionnaire designed to measure three key dimensions of religiosity:

Researchers adapted the DUREL for the Brazilian context, ensuring its cultural relevance and linguistic accuracy. This adaptation, led by Moreira-Almeida et al., paved the way for examining the DUREL's psychometric properties in a diverse population.

Organized Religiosity: Assesses the frequency of participation in religious activities, such as attending services or group meetings.
Non-Organized Religiosity: Measures private religious practices like prayer, meditation, or reading religious texts.
Intrinsic Religiosity: Gauges the degree to which an individual internalizes and lives according to their religious beliefs.

While the traditional DUREL has proven to be a valuable research tool, the rise of online surveys and data collection methods prompted the need to validate its use in virtual platforms. This shift towards online administration offers several potential advantages, including increased accessibility, reduced costs, and the ability to reach geographically diverse populations.

Faith in the Future: The Enduring Relevance of the DUREL

The study's findings confirm that the online DUREL exhibits similar psychometric properties to the traditional version, demonstrating its reliability and validity in a digital context. This validation opens up new possibilities for researchers to explore the multifaceted relationship between religiosity, mental health, and various social and demographic factors.

By embracing online platforms, researchers can overcome geographical barriers, reduce costs, and reach a wider range of participants, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive understanding of religiosity in diverse populations. As digital technologies continue to evolve, it is crucial to adapt established research tools to these new environments, ensuring the continued relevance and applicability of our scientific endeavors.

The DUREL, in both its traditional and online forms, remains a valuable instrument for exploring the impact of faith on individual well-being and societal dynamics. Its continued use will undoubtedly contribute to a richer and more nuanced understanding of the human experience.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/1414-462x201500030090, Alternate LINK

Title: Propriedades Psicométricas Do Índice De Religiosidade De Duke Aplicado Em Plataforma Virtual

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Cadernos Saúde Coletiva

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Jonas Jardim De Paula

Published: 2015-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), and what does it measure?

The Duke Religion Index (DUREL) is a tool designed to measure religiosity. It focuses on three key dimensions: Organized Religiosity, Non-Organized Religiosity, and Intrinsic Religiosity. Organized Religiosity assesses participation in religious activities, Non-Organized Religiosity measures private practices like prayer, and Intrinsic Religiosity gauges how individuals internalize their beliefs. This tool helps researchers understand the complex relationship between faith, mental health, and overall well-being, both in traditional and digital contexts.

Why is it important that the online version of the Duke Religion Index (DUREL) has been validated?

The study validates the online version of the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), demonstrating its reliability in a digital setting. This is crucial because it allows researchers to continue using the DUREL to study how faith influences mental health and well-being. The validation suggests that the online DUREL can provide similar results to the traditional paper-based version. This opens doors for broader studies involving diverse populations and geographical areas.

What is Organized Religiosity, as it relates to the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), and why is it significant?

Organized Religiosity, as measured by the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), refers to how often a person participates in structured religious activities, like attending services or group meetings. This aspect of religiosity is significant because it reflects the social dimension of faith. It connects an individual to a religious community. Understanding Organized Religiosity helps to understand its role in the individual's life and its potential impact on mental health and overall well-being.

What is Non-Organized Religiosity, as measured by the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), and why does it matter?

Non-Organized Religiosity, assessed by the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), includes private religious practices such as prayer, meditation, or reading religious texts. This dimension of religiosity is important because it represents the personal and individual aspects of faith. It shows how people connect with their faith on a personal level outside of formal religious settings. The study of Non-Organized Religiosity helps to understand its impact on mental health and well-being.

What is Intrinsic Religiosity within the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), and what is its significance?

Intrinsic Religiosity, a component of the Duke Religion Index (DUREL), measures the degree to which individuals internalize and live according to their religious beliefs. This is significant because it reflects the core values and beliefs that guide a person's life. By measuring Intrinsic Religiosity, researchers gain insight into how faith shapes an individual's worldview, decision-making, and overall well-being. Understanding this dimension is key to understanding the deeper impact of religion on mental health.