Prediction of student's spiritual intelligence by their personality characteristics

Aim and

The aim of this study was to determine the statistical correlation between personality characteristics and spiritual intelligence in a group of students of Isfahan University، Isfahan، Iran. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2010-2011. A total number of 284 (130 males and 154 females) undergraduate، postgraduate and PhD students of Isfahan University were selected by cluster random sampling method. The participants were evaluated using NEO Personality Inventory and a spiritual intelligence scale. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics، correlation coefficients and regression analysis.

Among the five personality factors، neuroticism had a negative correlation with spiritual intelligence (P < 0. 001). In contrast، spiritual intelligence was positively correlated with extraversion، agreeableness، and conscientiousness (P < 0. 001). Multiple correlations were also found between the three mentioned factors and spiritual intelligence (F = 16. 63)..

This study indicated the role of personality characteristics in spiritual intelligence. Among the five personality factors، extraversion، agreeableness and above all conscientiousness were predictors of spiritual intelligence. Therefore، personality characteristics need to be evaluated as predictors of spiritual intelligence.