Formulating a structural model of self‑compassion based on the spiritual intelligence of the students of medical library and information sciences in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences

Effective communication is one of the most important factors in advancing the goals of library services and the identifying factors affecting it and having a single model for such factors are of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to develop a structural model of self‑compassion measured based on spiritual intelligence (SQ) as factors affecting communication in medical library and information science students.

This was a correlational study done by structural equation modeling method. A total of 290 undergraduate and graduate students of Medical Library and Information Sciences of Iran’s Universities of Medical Sciences were selected by simple random sampling. In this study, the data were collected by the Neff’s Self‑Compassion Scale and the King’s Spiritual Intelligence Self‑report Inventory. Self‑compassion measured based on SQ was tested by goodness‑of‑fit indices. Statistical analysis was performed using SmartPLS software.

The results showed that there was a significant relationship between SQ and self‑compassion. Furthermore, the positive values of predictive indices could confirm the self‑compassion measured based on SQ. Composite reliability indicated the high reliability of SQ and self‑compassion.

According to the fitting indices of the model, it can be concluded that the self‑compassion model has an acceptable fit on the basis of SQ.