Assessing The Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence and Psychological Distress Among Seminarians of The Catholic Diocese of Aba, Nigeria

Assessing The Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence and Psychological Distress Among Seminarians of The Catholic Diocese of Aba, Nigeria

Kevin Chukwurah
Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Marist international University College, Nairobi, Kenya
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2023.10511

Received: 21 April 2023; Accepted: 16 May 2023; Published: 14 June 2023

Abstract: Although Spiritual Intelligence enjoys recent recognition in research as a human potential to live a meaningful and fulfilled life even amid uncertainties and distress, no known study has been done among young people especially seminarians in Nigeria. Thus, this study uses the correlational research design to explore the relationship between spiritual intelligence and psychological distress among the seminarians of the Catholic Diocese of Aba, Nigeria. The objectives are to determine the seminarians’ levels of spiritual intelligence, their levels of psychological distress, and the relationship between spiritual intelligence and psychological distress among them. Forty-nine (49) major seminarians from the Catholic Diocese of Aba were recruited using the census method. Data collection was done through questionnaires delivered to each participant on google forms. Two standardised instruments – the Integrated Spiritual Intelligence Scale (ISIS-45) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) were used to assess the participants’ spiritual intelligence and psychological distress respectively. SPSS (version 26) aided the data analysis. The results showed that the seminarians had an average spiritual intelligence level (n = 49, M = 72.1%, SD = .42) and an average psychological distress level (n = 49, M = 55.8%, SD = 6.46). The Pearson correlation showed a weak positive relationship between spiritual intelligence and psychological distress among the participants. There was no significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and psychological distress among the seminarians of the Catholic Diocese of Aba (r = .066, p = .653). The findings provide an increased understanding of the relationship between spiritual intelligence and psychological distress among the population studied. The study suggests the need for more investigation into the value of spiritual intelligence and the necessity of its improvement for seminarians as young people and as future leaders who will need to have the necessary resources to guide others in their wellbeing in a distressed country like Nigeria.

Keywords: Spiritual Intelligence, Psychological Distress, Seminarians, Catholic Diocese of Aba, Nigeria.

I. Background

Several studies have been done on the reality, nature, value and relevance of spiritual intelligence. Zohar and Marshall (2004) distinguished Spiritual Intelligence from Cognitive Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence and recognised spiritual intelligence as the most important or fundamental intelligence. They perceived spiritual intelligence to be part of the spiritual capital, which enriches the deeper aspects of one’s life. In other words, Spiritual Intelligence forms part of the repertoire of the essence of one’s being and purpose in life. One who has this wealth can live well and truly. This goes to show the reality of Spiritual Intelligence. It is not a fabrication or an illusion, but a reality which resides in man. Similarly, Sabzar et al. (2019) described spiritual intelligence as the intelligence that enables man to ask deep questions about himself; “What am I? Who am I? Why am I here? What am I doing here? Thus, spiritual intelligence is that part of man that gives him direction, purpose and sustenance.

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