Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies, Online ISSN 2278-8808, SJIF 2016 = 6.17, www.srjis.com UGC Approved Sr. No.49366, NOV-DEC 2017, VOL- 4/37 https://doi.org/10.21922/srjis.v4i37.10538
DEVELOPMENT OF SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE AND SELF-IDENTITY AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A STUDY OF GENDER DIFFERENCE Suprava Mohanty Reader in Psychology, Rajsunakhala College, Rajsunakhala, Nayagarh, Odisha, India
Self-identity is an important life skill of adolescents. Researchers have observed that the skill of reflecting on the experiences of life, which is related to one’s spiritual intelligence, is helpful in the development of positive self-identity. Hence, the present research was carried out to understand the development of spiritual intelligence and self-identity among adolescent boys and girls and thereby examine the mediating role of spiritual intelligence in the development of self-identity. Participants in the study were 360 college students in equal numbers from boys and girls belonging to early, middle, and late adolescent period. Four-core abilities of spiritual intelligence namely; critical existential thinking, personal meaning production, transcendental awareness, and conscious state expansion were measured. Like-wise, personal, relational, social, and collective self-identities were measured. The results showed that girls are better than boys in the development of both spiritual intelligence and positive self-identity. Further, spiritual intelligence significantly and positively predicted each of the domains of self-identity. Keywords: adolescents, self-identity, Spiritual intelligence, mediating process Scholarly Research Journal's is licensed Based on a work at www.srjis.com
Introduction Spiritual intelligence is a state of higher intelligence that activates the qualities and capabilities of the authentic self in the form of wisdom, compassion, integrity, joy, love, creativity and peace (Emmons, 2006). Spiritual intelligence results in sense of deeper meaning and purpose, combined with improvements in a wide range of important life skills and work skills. Spiritual intelligence refers to the skills, abilities and behaviors required to understand one’s inner self including thoughts, beliefs, values and actions, to maintain a sense of belonging with others, to express dependence on supreme power through meditation, to live with a mind of inquiry and a quest for meaning in life, and to act in love and compassion (Madhumathi&Suparna, 2017). Miller (2000) argued that spiritual intelligence is an essential component of human development focusing on the intrinsic aspects of individuals and integrating spirituality among adolescents brings a complete development in them rather than a fragmented self.
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