Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Maturity among Members of the Congregation of Our Lady of Fatima Sisters in Jos, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity among members of the Congregation of Our Lady of Fatima Sisters in Jos, Nigeria. The study adopted an embedded mixed-methods design in which a quantitative correlational strand was complemented by qualitative interviews that explored lived spiritual and emotional experiences. Seventy-three Sisters participated in the quantitative phase, while eight participants were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. Emotional intelligence was measured using the Emotional Intelligence Scale developed by Singh (2004), and spiritual maturity was assessed using the Spiritual Experience Index-Revised developed by Genia (1997). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the statistical findings. Results revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity, r = .640, p < .01, indicating that higher emotional intelligence was associated with higher spiritual maturity. Qualitative findings deepened this result by showing that prayer, silence, journaling; spiritual direction, psychological support, faith sharing, community dialogue, ongoing formation, and personal responsibility function as pathways through which emotional growth supports spiritual maturity. The study concludes that emotional intelligence is an important psycho-spiritual resource for vocational well-being, community life, and effective ministry among women religious. It recommends integrated formation programmes, accessible psychological support, community practices that promote emotional harmony.

Emotional Intelligence, Spiritual Maturity, Psycho-Spiritual and Our Lady of Fatima Sisters

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