Role of Spiritual Intelligence in Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health

Abstract

During recent years psychologists have broadened their understanding of the concept of intelligence, which traditionally was largely understood as linguistic and logical abilities. Influenced by the theories of multiple intelligence, psychologists are talking of emotional, creative, social, practical, existential, and spiritual intelligences (Bar-On, 2000; Gardener, 1983, 2000; Emmons, 1999; Goleman, 2001; Mayer & Salovey, 1993; Sternberg, 1997, 2005). Consequent upon the research findings by Goleman (1998) and Hedlund and Sternberg (2000) that IQ, a measure of cognitive intelligence abilities, accounts for only about 20 to 30 percent of professional success, researchers began to define intelligence in different ways. Goleman (2001) has conceptualized emotional intelligence as a set of abilities that draw on the emotional resources of the individual which contribute more to success in life than do traditional intelligence.It is known that emotion is a complex state of feeling that results in physiological changes which influence the thought and behavior of the individual. Positive emotions such as love, motivation, appreciation, friendship, self control, satisfaction, freedom, fulfillment, autonomy, peace, awareness and happiness are associated with positive state of mind and good health. Hence, they need to be maintained and used effectively as and when the situation demands. Similarly, since negative emotions like anger, failure, fear, disappointment, frustration, obligation, guilt, resentment, emptiness, bitterness, dependence, depression, loneliness are associated with negative state of mind and unhealthy physiological functioning (Herbert & Choen, 1993), they are required to be managed and regulated. Emotions aroused in a particular situation depend not so much on the situation itself, as on how it is appraised. The meaning of the term intelligence being the cognitive capacity for abstract thought, understanding, reasoning, learning, planning and problem solving, the ability to understand, appraise, monitor and use the emotions or feelings of one's own as well as that of others define the concept of emotional intelligence (Mayer & Salovey, 1993). Golman (1995) suggests five major domains of emotional intelligence, such as self awareness, Self regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social skills.There is no dearth of studies reporting the importance of emotional intelligence. Singh and Saini (2007) studied the relationship between emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships. They revealed that the persons who are emotionally stable posit good interpersonal relations, enjoy the trust of other and tend to be less aggressive and hostile to others. Emotionally intelligent people are better at negotiation and conflict management due to the very nature of their ability to understand the needs and desires of others. It is easier to give people what they want if one can perceive what it is. Emotional intelligence also seems to affect our attitude and outlook towards life. It can also help to alleviate anxiety and avoid depression and mood swings. Emotional Intelligence has been found to be correlated negatively with depression proneness, and positively with subjective happiness and life satisfaction (Saklafske, Austein, & Minski, 2003).In the context of the above mentioned findings, it is natural to expect a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and mental as well as physical health. Salovey et al (1999) claim that individuals who can regulate their emotional states are healthier because they accurately perceive and appraise their emotional states, know how and when to express their feelings and can effectively regulate their mood states. Failure of emotional self-management leads to significant negative influences on physical health and mental health (Salovey, 2001). It is observed that people low on the dimension of emotional intelligence, resort to smoking, drinking and eating fatty foods as a way of coping to emotional stress (Taylor, 2001). …