Investigating the Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence and Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome in COVID-19 Surviving Healthcare Workers

Background: Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) can have a devastating long-term impact on healthcare workers who have survived the profound crisis of COVID-19. The presence of spirituality during periods of stress has the potential to mitigate the psychological consequences of traumatic experiences. This study was undertaken to explore the relationship between spiritual intelligence and PTSS among healthcare workers who have survived COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 201 COVID-19-surviving healthcare workers in 2020 (Semnan, Iran). Eligible participants responded to the online Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaire for PTSS and the Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire (SIQ). The data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test, the chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The mean score for PTSS and the mean of spiritual intelligence were 33.97±17.57 and 124.90±16.99, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a negative relationship between spiritual intelligence and PTSS subscales, namely, avoidance (-0.16), intrusion (-0.2), and hyperarousal (-0.3). In other words, less PTSS was experienced with increasing spiritual intelligence. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the significance of incorporating spirituality into the clinical practice of healthcare workers who have survived COVID-19. Consequently, employing strategies such as spiritual intelligence training can be regarded as a means to enhance adaptation and mitigate PTSS-associated complications.