Nurturing the Soul: A Psychometric Analysis of the Spiritual Intelligence Inventory in Married Madrassa and Non-Madrassa Women

Abstract

Background: The interplay between the health and academic success of married women has long been acknowledged, with spiritual intelligence being an often underexplored yet critical factor. Despite its global implications for public health and its substantial role in religious education, spiritual intelligence is frequently marginalized and seldom recognized as a significant determinant of healthcare evaluation and health promotion. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the Spiritual Intelligence Inventory (SISRI) in the context of married women.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling methodology, we recruited a cohort of three hundred women (150 married Madrassa and 150 married non-Madrassa), aged 18 to 50, from various formal religious educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Data collection spanned from January 1, 2021, to August 1, 2021.

Results: This study encompassed two distinct phases: a pilot study and a main study. Findings from the research indicated a positive correlation between SISRI-Urdu and English total scores as well as subscale scores, underscoring the robust internal consistency of the inventory. Furthermore, the test-retest reliability of both the English and Urdu versions exhibited high levels of consistency (r = 0.94). In the primary investigation, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out to establish construct validity in both married Madrassa and non-Madrassa women.

Conclusions:  In conclusion, the study establishes the Spiritual Intelligence Inventory (SISRI) as a robust tool for assessing spiritual intelligence in married Madrassa and non-Madrassa women. These findings emphasize the instrument's potential utility in deepening our understanding of the interplay between spirituality, mental health, and religious education, shedding light on its valuable role in healthcare assessment and promotion within these specific contexts.