The Mediating Role of Personal Values in the Prediction of Sexual Abstinence Based on Mother-Daughter Relationship, Islamic Ethics, and Spiritual Intelligence among High School Girls in Isfahan

This study was undertaken to investigate the mediating role of personal values in the prediction of sexual abstinence based on mother-daughter relationship, Islamic ethics, and spiritual intelligence among high school girls in Isfahan. To this end, 200 female students were selected via cluster sampling method. The instruments included Schwartz Value Scale (2006), Sexual Abstinence Questionnaire (Ahmadi, 2018), Moral Foundations Questionnaire (Haidt & Graham, 2007) (adapted according to Islamic teachings), Parent-Child Relationship Scale (Fine, Moreland, & Schwebel, 1983), and Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (King, 2008). The obtained data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results demonstrated that sexual abstinence was directly associated with mother-daughter relationship, Islamic ethics, and personal values; however, no direct relationship was observed between spiritual intelligence and sexual abstinence. Moreover, Islamic ethics was indirectly related to sexual abstinence and this relationship was mediated by personal values. Indirect relations of spiritual intelligence and mother-daughter relationship with sexual abstinence mediated by personal values were not statistically significant. Apparently, Islamic ethics can affect sexual abstinence through having an influence on personal values; nonetheless, personal values do not mediate the impact of mother-daughter relationship and spiritual intelligence on sexual abstinence.