Assessment of Spiritual intelligence, spiritual practices and their association with wellbeing of students entering a medical college in India

Abstract

Abstract Background: Spiritual intelligence (SI) is reported to provide meaning-giving and context-creator functionality, besides enhancing academic engagement and care competence. Enabling medical students to become aware about their own SI has a potential to provide a transformational edge to the learning process. Method: We studied spiritual intelligence, daily spiritual practices, and work satisfaction of 127 students of first year undergraduate course in an Indian medical college using a questionnaire-based survey. Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI 24) was used which measures overall spiritual intelligence and its 4 components: Critical existential thinking, Personal meaning production, Transcendental awareness, Conscious state expansion. Results were analysed by STATA 14 software. Results: Eighty five percent students had moderate/high SI. Scores: Critical existential thinking (17.0/28), Personal meaning production (12.9 /20) Transcendental awareness (17.8/28), Conscious state expansion (9.8./20). SI was significantly associated with work satisfaction(p=0.006). More than 80% students were regularly undertaking spiritual practices (prayer, meditation, etc). Students consider spirituality as an important is helpful in professional growth. Conclusion: First year medical students have moderate/high spiritual intelligence associated with good work satisfaction. Students consider spirituality as essential component of education for enhancing self-development and professional competence. Students entering medical studies should be provided opportunities for exploring their spiritual insight and strengthening the same for as a pedagogic intervention.