Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence Among Medical Students in Iran

Background: Spiritual intelligence is an important factor for effective functioning of emotional intelligence. Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim to determine the relationship between spiritual and emotional intelligence among Iranian medical students. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in 2015 on 324 students, who were selected through stratified random sampling from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Data were collected using Bradberry-Greaves emotional intelligence and Eysenck spiritual intelligence questionnaires. Results: The participants included 94 males and 230 females. The mean total scores of emotional and spiritual intelligence were 110.52 and 89.37, respectively. The mean score of spiritual intelligence was higher among women in comparison with men, whereas the mean score of emotional intelligence was higher among men. A significant correlation was found between emotional and spiritual intelligence (r, 0.48; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the findings, students’ emotional intelligence can be fostered by reinforcing their spiritual intelligence, and correct behaviors can be promoted in accordance with social values.