The role of mindfulness and spiritual intelligence in students' mental health

Abstract

Studies show that mental disorders are highly prevalent among students. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the role of mindfulness and spiritual intelligence in the students' mental health studying at university of medical sciences. The study population included all undergraduate and medicine students. A total of 393 female and male students (193 medical and 200 non-medical students) were selected through randomly. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and spiritual intelligence and mindfulness questionnaire were used to evaluate the participants. The results revealed the negative correlation of mental health with mindfulness and spiritual intelligence and a positive correlation between mindfulness and dimensions of spiritual intelligence. Also, the dimension of spiritual life (43.1%) and mindfulness (31%) had a significant negative effect on the explained variance of the students' mental health. Analysis of variance showed that the scales of mindfulness, perception of existence, somatic symptoms, and anxiety were higher among women. Therefore, the students can be more capable of coping with existing traumas and pressures by boosting their spirituality, consciousness, and mindfulness.

How Does Spiritual Intelligence Relate to Mental Health in a Western Sample?

“…We hypothesized that SI would be negatively associated with these mental health outcomes, such that increases in SI would correspond to decreases in depression, anxiety, and substance use. Contrasting our expectations and previous research (Bozorgi & Bozorgi, 2016; Monfared & Naderi, 2015; Nemati et al, 2016; Sharma & Arif, 2015), total SI scores were not associated with depression, anxiety, or substance use. These conflicting findings may be explained by methodological approaches or cultural consistency of samples in previous investigations.…”

“…A growing interest in SI among Eastern psychological researchers has led to preliminary support for the hypothesis that these abilities and capacities related to spiritual experiences provide benefits for mental health. In three separate studies of Iranian adolescents and young adults, increases in SI corresponded to decreases in psychopathology measured in the General Health Questionnaire–Short Form (Bozorgi & Bozorgi, 2016; Monfared & Naderi, 2015; Nemati, Habibi, Vargahan, Mohamadloo, & Ghanbari, 2016). In a sample of Indian adolescents, Sharma and Arif (2015) similarly found increases in SI to correspond with decreases in peer conflict and conduct issues as well as increases in self-esteem and prosocial behaviors.…”

“…Based on previous research with SI and mental health (Bozorgi & Bozorgi, 2016; Monfared & Naderi, 2015; Nemati et al, 2016; Sharma & Arif, 2015), total SI scores were expected to be negatively associated with levels of depression and anxiety symptomatology as well as reported frequency of substance use. As previous research utilizing the SISRI only analyzed total scores on the measure, it is unclear how specific spiritual capacities in the SI model proposed by King and DeCicco (2009) may be related to the mental health measures observed in this study.…”

Recent Trends in Happiness Research

“…Negative correlation was found for traits such as teamwork, hope, self-regulation, and love and school-related negative affect, buffering the impact negative affect may have on functioning and success at school ( nature, character and temperament. Further, practicing mindfulness increases spiritual intelligence, which, in turn, improves the mental health of students (Nemati et al, 2017). The students who are high on mindfulness and dimensions of spiritual intelligence exhibit better understanding and acceptance of the realities of life and better coping abilities thus promoting mental health (Nemati et al, 2017).…”

“…Further, practicing mindfulness increases spiritual intelligence, which, in turn, improves the mental health of students (Nemati et al, 2017). The students who are high on mindfulness and dimensions of spiritual intelligence exhibit better understanding and acceptance of the realities of life and better coping abilities thus promoting mental health (Nemati et al, 2017). High consistency level has been found in levels of personal spirituality and positive psychology traits of forgiveness, gratitude, optimism, grit, and meaning with individuals high in personal spirituality and positive psychology traits exhibiting a negative association with depressive symptoms (Barton & Miller, 2015).…”