The effectiveness of spiritual intelligence training in perceived stress and vitality and Mindfulness in nursing home caregivers

The primary goal of social policies is to enhance the quality of life and, specifically, to improve the health of individuals in society. In this context, spiritual intelligence, as one of the cognitive capacities of humans, plays a significant role in various aspects of life, particularly in psychological and behavioral dimensions. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of spiritual intelligence training on perceived stress, vitality, and mindfulness among caregivers in an orphanage. This research was conducted as a quasi-experimental study using a pretest and posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all caregivers at Imam Ali Orphanage in Karaj in 2023. Sampling was done using a convenience method; 30 individuals were randomly assigned to the experimental (15 individuals) and control (15 individuals) groups. The instruments included the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983), the Vitality Scale (Ryan & Frederick, 1997), and the Mindfulness Scale (Brown & Ryan., 2003). Participants in the experimental group received an intervention based on spiritual intelligence (King, 2009) over eight 90-minute sessions. The findings from the analysis of covariance revealed that spiritual intelligence training resulted in a reduction in perceived stress and an increase in mindfulness among orphanage caregivers (p < 0.01); however, it had no significant effect on vitality (p > 0.01). Therefore, it can be concluded that spiritual intelligence training can play an effective role in enhancing mindfulness, reducing perceived stress, and ultimately improving the quality of life of orphanage caregivers.