The Role of Spiritual Well-being and Academic Resilience in Predicting Students’ Psychological Health

This paper has been designed to examine death anxiety among chronic disease patients through the role of spiritual well-being, mental health issues, religious beliefs, symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety, and life satisfaction among patients. The data have been collected from the patients facing chronic disease and admitted in public sector hospitals. A sample of 1377 patients has been drawn using a proportionate random sampling technique and a cross-sectional survey has been used as a technique of data collection. A self-administered structured questionnaire has been used and pilot testing has also been done on 30 patients. The study findings outline the favourable effects of religious beliefs and spiritual well-being in minimizing death anxiety specifically with operative psychological interventions for patients facing diseases. However, the study findings also conclude that mental health illness, symptoms of anxiety, and symptoms of depression had favourable effects to enhance death anxiety among patients facing chronic disease.

Background and Objectives: Health anxiety is one of the crucial concerns of clinical specialists, as it increases the use of psychological, health and medical services. Therefore, the present study to investigate the correlation between spiritual experiences and self-care behaviors in students with health anxiety. Methods: The present descriptive-correlational was conducted on male and female students of Farhangian University of South Khorasan Province, Iran in the summer of 2023. A total of 320 individuals were selected a stratified sampling method (boys and girls). The data collection tools included the daily spiritual experience scale developed by Underwood and Tersi, the self-care scale by Javdan and the health anxiety inventory by Salkovskis et al. SPSS software, version 24 was used for data analysis, employing Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: The results showed a negative and significant relationship between spiritual experiences (r=-0.570, P<0.01) and self-care behaviors (r=-0.624, P<0.01) and health anxiety. The components of spiritual experiences explained 32.7% of the variance in health anxiety, while self-care behaviors explained 39% of the variance. Conclusion: The results showed the importance of strengthening spiritual experiences and self-care behaviors in the design and modification of interventions related to health anxiety within health system policies.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization defines mental health as a combination of two dimensions: the negative dimension, or negative mental health, which indicates the presence of mental disorders, symptoms, and problems, and the positive dimension, or positive mental health, which includes emotions and positive personal characteristics such as self-esteem, resilience against environmental challenges, a sense of integrity, and self-efficacy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of internet addiction and academic resilience in predicting the mental health of high school students in Tehran, Iran.MethodThe research method employed was a survey. 758 people participated in the study, and the samples consisted of high school students in Tehran during the academic year 2022–2023. The process of collecting information was carried out by distributing the questionnaire link through virtual networks and schools. The research utilized Young’s Internet Addiction Test, Samuels’ Academic Resilience Inventory, and Goldberg’s Mental Health Questionnaire as the research tools. Statistical tests, including Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis, were employed to investigate the relationships between variables.ResultThe effect of internet addiction on mental health (ß=0.39) is negative and significant at the 0.001 level, while the effect of academic resilience on mental health (ß=0.66) is positive and significant at the 0.001 level. These two variables collectively predict 53% of the variance in students’ mental health. This indicates that as internet addiction increases among students, their mental health significantly decreases, whereas higher levels of academic resilience correspond to higher mental health.ConclusionsThis study has elucidated the role of internet addiction and academic resilience in predicting the mental health of high school students in Tehran. Given the significance of adolescent mental health, it is imperative for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to develop intervention and prevention models to address mental health crises and plan for the enhancement of adolescent mental health.

This study aims to examine the interactions of spiritual well-being with different psychosocial and behavioral aspects that have been proposed in the literature as pathways underlying the relationship of religiosity and spirituality (R/S) with physical health, specifically in cancer patients (N = 351). Using a cross-sectional research design, a series of hierarchical regression analyses show the predictive power of different elements of R/S (attachment to God, religious practice, commitment and coping, and spiritual experiences) on spiritual well-being. In turn, spiritual well-being (meaning/peace and faith) predicts gratitude and compassion (as psychological pathways). Thus, finally, spiritual well-being, together with gratitude and compassion, correlates to the rest of the psychological (positive and negative emotions), social (social support) and behavioral (healthy behaviors) pathways to different extents. Spiritual well-being may play an important role in understanding the relationships between R/S and health, so considering it along with its associated factors may be key to improving the health and quality of life of people affected by cancer in Spain.

Spiritual well-being (SWB) is a multidimensional and multifaceted concept that encompasses various spheres of human experience, including a person's spirituality, faith, identity, values, and sense of purpose in life. This study aims to gain a contextualized understanding of how participants affiliated with different higher education institutions in Qatar perceive and experience SWB. It addresses a gap in the literature regarding the influence of cultural and religious factors on the concept of SWB in higher education, particularly in the Qatari context, where cultural factors, especially Islamic values, shape faculty well-being. An interpretive qualitative research approach was utilized, focusing on round table (focus group) discussion data obtained from a diverse group of college and university faculty members in Qatar. A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit participants representing different institutional affiliations. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes and patterns that emerged from the focus groups, viewed through the lens of socio-cultural theory. Findings reveal that SWB is a very personal and subjective experience, largely influenced by religious beliefs, values, and personal life experiences. Key themes extracted from the data include the intimate relationship between religion (Islam), spirituality, and SWB; the interconnectedness between SWB and adherence to Islamic values and ethics; and the role of SWB in defining identity and in finding meaning and purpose in life. This study contributes to socio-cultural theories of well-being by highlighting how SWB in Qatar challenges and expands the existing Western paradigms of well-being. The practical implications suggest that higher education institutions in Qatar should consider integrating the concept of SWB into faculty support practices, fostering environments that acknowledge and support the role of spirituality in well-being.

Background: The mental health of students in higher education, particularly concerning suicidal ideation, has been an area of growing concern. Academic resilience and psychological well-being are key factors that influence students' mental health. Understanding the relationship between these factors is crucial for developing effective interventions. Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between academic resilience, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation among medical and non-medical students. The study sought to determine whether academic resilience serves as a protective factor against suicidal thoughts and how it interacts with psychological well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 200 students, evenly divided between genders and educational backgrounds (medical and non-medical). The study employed the Academic Resilience Scale, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Suicidal Ideation Scale. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 25 years, with an average age of 21.35 years. Statistical analyses included correlation, regression, and t-tests, using tools like SPSS version 25 for data processing. Results: The results indicated a positive correlation between academic resilience and psychological well-being (r=0.242, p<0.01). Regression analysis showed that academic resilience (β=-0.59, p<0.000) and psychological well-being (β=0.49, p<0.000) were significant predictors of suicidal ideation. Medical students demonstrated higher academic resilience and lower suicidal ideation compared to non-medical students. Suicidal ideation scores among non-medical students were notably higher (Mean=125.63, SD=20.07) than medical students (Mean=107.30, SD=29.86). Conclusion: Academic resilience plays a crucial role in reducing suicidal ideation among students. Enhancing academic resilience, particularly among non-medical students, could be a key strategy in mitigating the risk of suicidal thoughts. This study highlights the importance of incorporating resilience-building initiatives in educational settings to improve student mental health.

Nurses experience many psychological problems in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Compassion Fatigue (CF) in nurses and the role of Spiritual Well-being (SW), Emotion Regulation (ER), and Time Perspective (TP) in predicting it. The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical samples of this study included 394 nurses in Iran who were selected by the census sampling method. The sub-scale of CF from the Professional Quality of Life Scale, SW questionnaire, ER, and the short form of TP questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance tests were used to analyze the data. The prevalence of CF in nurses in the COVID-19 outbreak was 59.39%. CF in female nurses was higher than that in male nurses (F3,392 = 15.23, p < 0.001); in married nurses, it was higher than that in single nurses (F3,392 = 14.23, p < 0.001); and in nurses on fixed shifts, it was higher than that in nurses on rotating shifts (F3,392 = 5.63, p < 0.001). Also, CF in the emergency nurses, intensive care unit nurses, and coronary care unit nurses working under COVID-19 pandemic was higher than that in the emergency nurses and nurses who worked in other wards (F3,388 = 14.31, p < 0.001). The results of hierarchical regression showed that SW, ER, and positive past negatively and suppression, present-fatalistic, negative past, and negative future positively predicted the CF (p < 0.001). Based on the results, programs and psychological trainings based on SW, ER, and TP are suggested to reduce CF in nurses in the COVID-19 outbreak.

The relationship between perceived stress, spiritual well-being and alexithymia in people with epilepsy: A path analysis

"The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships and connections within the family and the local Christian church community influencing spiritual wellbeing of young people engaged with Christian spirituality. Questions have arisen recently about the role of spiritual wellbeing in strengthening resilience of youth. To explore this association, this research focused on the relationships and connectedness of people who attend one religious organisation as one means of enhancing their spiritual wellbeing. Two separate but complementary theories underpinned this research: the bioecological theory of human development (Bronfenbrenner 2001a) and the international family strengths model (DeFrain &amp; Asay 2007a). In line with the purposes of an instrumental case study, different sources of data (quantitative and qualitative) were collected on the phenomenon of interest— spiritual wellbeing. Utilising a survey method, a theoretical purposive sample of sixty five people participated in this study. Through an abductive analysis process, the research identified a model of five spiritual strengths that enhance peace and life satisfaction and strengthen youth resilience within the lives of the young people in this study. Spiritual wellbeing and resilience were shown to be interrelated and ecologically bound. This case study presents one possible explanation for the often observed yet poorly understood relationship between spiritual wellbeing and positive youth outcomes, such as resilience. The author recommends measurement of resilience and strategies that aim to strengthen youth resilience should include spiritual wellbeing however, further research is required that considers how best to incorporate spiritual wellbeing into both resilience measures and health promoting strategies. It is also recommended that replica studies with people who belong to other spirituality types, and who may implement differing spiritual practices, are needed to test the proposed model of spiritual strengths and the identified relationship to resilience."

Psychological well-being and academic resilience are crucial factors for students' success in higher education, contributing to both academic achievement and mental health. Therefore, it is essential to implement strategies aimed at enhancing students' psychological well-being and academic resilience. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral intervention and mindfulness relaxation integrated with Islamic values in improving students' psychological well-being and academic resilience. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative component utilized an experimental design, specifically a non-equivalent control group design. The research subjects were divided into four groups, with a total of 70 participants. The instruments used for measurement including the Psychological Well-being Scale (α = 0.897) and the Academic Resilience Scale (α = 0.884). Data analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of variance. In addition to the quantitative analysis, the qualitative method explored participants' feelings before and after the intervention. The study found no significant effect of the cognitive-behavioral intervention and mindfulness relaxation integrated with Islamic values on increasing psychological well-being and academic resilience across all experimental groups. However, qualitative data revealed that the intervention had a positive impact on students' psychological well-being and academic resilience. Overall, while the quantitative results did not show significant improvements, the qualitative feedback suggests that the intervention may still hold value in supporting students' mental health and resilience.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD), influenced by both physiological and psychosocial factors. While depression and anxiety are known contributors to ED, the role of spiritual well-being (SWB) in vascular health has been relatively less explored in the literature. To investigate the association between SWB and ED in clinically healthy adults, controlling for mental health variables and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, 148 individuals aged 18-60 years were assessed using validated instruments: FACIT-Sp for SWB, PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for endothelial function. Logistic regression and discriminant analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of ED and the spiritual dimensions most associated with vascular health. ED was identified in 39.2% of participants. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that SWB (OR = 0.929; p = 0.005), body mass index (OR = 1.130; p = 0.016), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 2.551; p = 0.035), and major depressive episode (OR = 3.740; p = 0.038), were significantly associated with ED. Among these, SWB was significantly inversely associated with ED even after excluding participants with anxiety or depression. Discriminant analysis further indicated that inner peace and life purpose-but not faith-significantly distinguished individuals with and without ED. SWB, particularly dimensions related to inner peace and meaning, is independently associated with preserved endothelial function in healthy adults. These findings support the inclusion of psychosocial and spiritual dimensions in cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention strategies.

BackgroundIn patients with chronic heart failure, depression is common and associated with poor quality of life, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher mortality. Spiritual well-being is an important, modifiable coping resource in patients with terminal cancer and is associated with less depression, but little is known about the role of spiritual well-being in patients with heart failure.ObjectiveTo identify the relationship between spiritual well-being and depression in patients with heart failure.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsSixty patients aged 60 years or older with New York Heart Association class II–IV heart failure.MeasurementsSpiritual well-being was measured using the total scale and 2 subscales (meaning/peace, faith) of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual Well-being scale, depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale—Short Form (GDS-SF).ResultsThe median age of participants was 75 years. Nineteen participants (32%) had clinically significant depression (GDS-SF > 4). Greater spiritual well-being was strongly inversely correlated with depression (Spearman’s correlation −0.55, 95% confidence interval −0.70 to −0.35). In particular, greater meaning/peace was strongly associated with less depression (r = −.60, P < .0001), while faith was only modestly associated (r = −.38, P < .01). In a regression analysis accounting for gender, income, and other risk factors for depression (social support, physical symptoms, and health status), greater spiritual well-being continued to be significantly associated with less depression (P = .05). Between the 2 spiritual well-being subscales, only meaning/peace contributed significantly to this effect (P = .02) and accounted for 7% of the variance in depression.ConclusionsAmong outpatients with heart failure, greater spiritual well-being, particularly meaning/peace, was strongly associated with less depression. Enhancement of patients’ sense of spiritual well-being might reduce or prevent depression and thus improve quality of life and other outcomes in this population.

BackgroundEndothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD), influenced by both physiological and psychosocial factors. While depression and anxiety are known contributors to ED, the role of spiritual well-being (SWB) in vascular health has been relatively less explored in the literature.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between SWB and ED in clinically healthy adults, controlling for mental health variables and conventional cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 148 individuals aged 18–60 years were assessed using validated instruments: FACIT-Sp for SWB, PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for endothelial function. Logistic regression and discriminant analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of ED and the spiritual dimensions most associated with vascular health.ResultsED was identified in 39.2% of participants. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that SWB (OR = 0.929; p = 0.005), body mass index (OR = 1.130; p = 0.016), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 2.551; p = 0.035), and major depressive episode (OR = 3.740; p = 0.038), were significantly associated with ED. Among these, SWB was significantly inversely associated with ED even after excluding participants with anxiety or depression. Discriminant analysis further indicated that inner peace and life purpose—but not faith—significantly distinguished individuals with and without ED.ConclusionSWB, particularly dimensions related to inner peace and meaning, is independently associated with preserved endothelial function in healthy adults. These findings support the inclusion of psychosocial and spiritual dimensions in cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention strategies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many individuals' mental health, including emerging adults. Changes in the environment and the mode of education made students vulnerable to psychological distress. However, there has been little empirical research on psychological distress, academic resilience, and self-efficacy. The study sought to determine the mediating role of psychological distress in the effect of self-efficacy on academic resilience—350 Filipino emerging adults recruited from various Metro Manila colleges and universities. Multi-aspect questionnaires were utilized to assess psychological distress, self-efficacy, and academic resilience. Structural equation modeling was used to explain the relationships, mediation, and causality and test the hypothesized model. SEM revealed that psychological distress mediates self-efficacy and academic resilience; higher self-efficacy leads to higher academic resilience; higher psychological distress leads to lower academic resilience, and higher self-efficacy leads to lower psychological distress. The study's findings have implications for a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intervention for psychologically distressed students. A proposed individual intervention is recommended for implementation, which mental health practitioners can use to address the variables of the study.

Questions have arisen recently about the role of spiritual well-being in strengthening resilience of youth. To explore this association, this case study focused on the relationships and connectedness of young people who attend one religious organization as a means of enhancing their spiritual well-being. In line with the purposes of an instrumental case study, different sources of data (quantitative and qualitative) were collected on the phenomenon of interest—spiritual well-being. A theoretical purposive sample of 65 people participated in the study. A mixed methods research approach guided this case study, which incorporated both single- and multicase study techniques. Through an abductive analysis process, spiritual well-being and resilience were shown to be interrelated and ecologically bound. This mixed methods case study presents one possible explanation for the often observed yet poorly understood relationship between spiritual well-being and positive youth outcomes, such as resilience.