Skip to main content
Log in

Simple and Multivariate Relationships Between Spiritual Intelligence with General Health and Happiness

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study examined simple and multivariate relationships of spiritual intelligence with general health and happiness. The employed method was descriptive and correlational. King’s Spiritual Quotient scales, GHQ-28 and Oxford Happiness Inventory, are filled out by a sample consisted of 384 students, which were selected using stratified random sampling from the students of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. Data are subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics including correlations and multivariate regressions. Bivariate correlations support positive and significant predictive value of spiritual intelligence toward general health and happiness. Further analysis showed that among the Spiritual Intelligence’ subscales, Existential Critical Thinking Predicted General Health and Happiness, reversely. In addition, happiness was positively predicted by generation of personal meaning and transcendental awareness. The findings are discussed in line with the previous studies and the relevant theoretical background.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, C. N., Davies, L., Dixon, C., Dillbeck, M. C., Druker, S. M., Oetzel, R., et al. (1990). Growth of higher stages of consciousness: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Vedic psychology of human development. In C. N. Alexander & E. Langer (Eds.), Higher stages of human development: Perspectives on adult growth (pp. 286–341). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alipoor, A., & Noorbala, A. (1999). A preliminary study of durability and justifiability of Oxford questionnaire of happiness in students of universities of Tehran. Journal of Andisheh va Rafter, 5, 55–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amram, Y. (2005). The contribution of emotional and spiritual intelligences to effective business leadership. (Dissertation). Palo Alto: Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. 2009.

  • Argyle, M. (2000). Dictionary of psychology. London: Rutledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagheri, F., Akbarizadeh, F., & Hatami, H. (2011). The Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and Happiness on the Nurse Staff of the Fatemeh Zahra Hospital and Bentolhoda Institute of Bushehr City. Indian Streams Research Journal, 14(4), 256–263.

  • Baqeri, Z. (2008). Evaluation of Iranian Happiness Rate at a glance. Hadith Zendegi J.41: Hawzeh database.

  • Bekhet, A. Z., Zauszniewski, J. A., & Nakhla, W. E. (2008). Happiness theoretical and empirical considerations. Nursing Forum, 43, 12–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bray, J. H., & Scott, E. M. (1985). Multivariate analysis of variance. Quantitative applications in the social sciences series #54. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, H., & Furnham, A. (2002). Personality, peer relations, and self-confidence as predictors of happiness and loneliness. Journal of Adolescence, 25(3), 327–339.

  • Elkins, D., Hedstrom, L. J., Hughes, L. L., Leaf, J. A., & Saunders, C. (1988). Toward a humanistic-phenomenological spirituality. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 28, 5–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elmer, L., MacDonald, D., & Fridman, H. (2003). Transpersonal psychology, physical health, and mental health: Theory, research and practice. Humanistic Psychology, 31, 159–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R. A. (2000). Is spirituality intelligence? Motivation, cognition and the psychology of ultimate condemn. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 10(1), 2–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. E. (1967). Man’s Search for Meaning (trans: Ma’aarefi, A. 2007). Tehran: Tehran University (Persian).

  • Gartez, D. B., & Sherrill, K. A. (1991). Associations between dimensions of religious commitment and mental health. American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 557–559.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, M. (2006). Practical application of spiritual intelligence in the workplace. Human Resource Management International Digest, 14(5), 3–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, B. -H. (2000). Exploring oriental wisdom: Self-transcendence and psychological well-being of adulthood in Taiwan. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 11.

  • Karimi-Moneghi, H., Gazrani, A., Vaqe’ei, S., Qolami, H., Saleh-Moqaddam, A. R., & Ashuri, A. (2011). Relation of spiritual intelligence and clinical competence of nurses. Journal of Medical Science University and Health Care of Sabzevar, 2, 133. (Persian).

    Google Scholar 

  • King, D. B. (2008). Rethinking claims of spiritual intelligence: A definition, model, and measure. Peterborough: Unpublished Masters Trent University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G., Mc Cullough, M., & Larson, D. B. (2000). Handbook of religion and health. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., & Day, L. (2000). Religious orientation and psychological well-being. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 363–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mascaro, N., & Rosen, D. H. (2006). The role of existential meaning as a buffer against stress. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 46, 108–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moalemi, S. (2009). Study of simple and multiple relations of Mental Health, Spiritual Intelligence and Inefficient Thoughts in students of university of Sistan And Baluchestan. Inedited thesis of Masters, University of Sistan and Baluchestan (Persian).

  • Moreira-Almeida, A., Lotufo Neto, F., & Koenig, H. G. (2006). Religiousness and mental health: A review. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 28(3), 242–250.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nasel, D. D. (2004) Spiritual orientation in relation to spiritual intelligence: A consideration of traditional christianity and new age individualistic spirituality: Unpublished thesis. Avstrqlia: The University of South Australia.

  • Omidian, M. (2009). Study of Public Health Condition and Happiness in Student of Yazd University. Educational and psychological Studies of Ferdowsi University. 1: 10. (Persian).

  • Qobari-Bonab, B., Salimi, M., Saliani, L., & Noori Moqaddam, S. (2007). Mental intelligence. Journal of Andisheye Dini, 10, 125–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T. (1997). Personal meaning optimism and choice: Existential predictors of depression in community and institutional elderly. The Gerontologist, 37, 709–716.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shabani, J., Hassan, S., Ahmad, A., & Baba, M. (2010). Age as moderated influence on the link of spiritual and emotional intelligence with mental health in high school student. Journal of American Science, 6(11), 394–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shamloo, S. (2003). Mental health. Tehran: Roshd Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, I. (2008). Society and mental health: The place of religion. Mental Health Review, 13, 4–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinnott, J. D. (2002). Introduction: Special issue on spirituality and adult development, part III. Journal of Adult Development, 9(2), 95–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan, F. (2002). What is spiritual intelligence? Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 42(2), 16–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven, R. (1988). The utility of happiness. Social Indicators Research, 20(4), 333–354.

  • Veenhoven, R. (1997). Advances in understanding happiness. Revue uebecoise de Psychologie, 18, 29–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (1990). The Introduction of mental health component into primary health care. 4–5.

  • Yaqubi, A., Zoqi Paydar, M. R., Abdollahzade, H., & Mohaqqeqi, H. (2008). Relation between spiritual intelligence and mental health of students of Bu Ali Sina of hamadan at academic year 2007–2008, paper presented in forth seminar of mental health of students, Shiraz University. (Persian).

  • Zohar, D., & Marshall, I. (2000). SQ: Spiritual intelligence: The ultimate intelligence. New York: Bloomsbury.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masoud Fazilat-Pour.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Amirian, ME., Fazilat-Pour, M. Simple and Multivariate Relationships Between Spiritual Intelligence with General Health and Happiness. J Relig Health 55, 1275–1288 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0004-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0004-y

Keywords

Navigation