Spiritual intelligence dimensions and life regard index in Iranian veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder with and without substance abuse history

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among some combatants was one of the Iran–Iraq War problems. Moreover, this disorder has a high comorbidity with other kinds of disorders like substance abuse as in the case of some Iran–Iraq War veterans. This study examined the effect of some individual psychological factors on these veterans' substance abuse. Among these factors, this study seeks to find the existence of difference between spiritual intelligence and life regard index of veterans with no history of substance abuse comparing with veterans with substance abuse history. Therefore, 120 PTSD veterans hospitalized in Shahid Rajaee Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, were studied during a 9-month period. Half were with and half were without substance abuse; they were also matched on demographic characteristics. There was a significant difference between spiritual intelligence and life regard index and also spiritual life and fulfillment sub-scales of those with history of substance abuse and those without. Conversely, no significant difference was observed on sub-scales of understanding, relationship with the Origin of Essence and fulfillment. Therefore, it can be concluded that dimensions of spiritual intelligence and positive life regard development could help to deter substance abuse, as well as accelerate recovery.