Unravelling the nexus between spiritual intelligence, emotional intelligence and psychological well-being: empirical study of Gen Z in an emerging market

Purpose Although Gen Z consumers demonstrate greater concern regarding sustainability than other generational cohorts, particular examinations into their sustainable behaviours regarding good health and well-being are relatively understudied. To address this research gap, the paper analyses the influence of Gen Z's spiritual intelligence (SI) (critical existential thinking (CET), personal meaning production (PMP), transcendental awareness (TA) and conscious state expansion) on emotional intelligence (EI) in the context of an emerging market. It also seeks to determine the impact of Gen Z's EI on psychological well-being (PWB) in an emerging market. Additionally, this paper aims to examine the mediating effect of EI on the relationship between SI and the PWB of Gen Z in an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach The present paper uses a survey method based on primary data. The data is collected from 552 respondents who are Indian consumers of Gen Z, with 39 indicator questions under the categories of SI, EI and PWB. The sampling method in this study is convenience sampling followed by snowball sampling. The collected data were analysed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model. Findings The result of this paper shows that among all four dimensions of SI, only CET and TA positively and significantly influence the EI of Gen Z in emerging markets. EI significantly affects Gen Z's PWB in emerging markets. Gen Z's EI does not have a significant influence in mediating between the SI dimensions, namely, PMP as well as conscious state expansion and PWB in the context of an emerging market. Practical implications As the number of Gen Z in the emerging market will increase in upcoming years, the outcomes of the present paper may help to improve sustainable behaviour practices for emerging country consumers to facilitate good health and well-being for Gen Z's PWB. The outcome of this paper is beneficial for governments, healthcare providers, communities and other stakeholders to achieve the World Health Organization's (WHO's) agenda for sustainable development goals (SDGs) on health and well-being (SDG-3). Originality/value By considering different dimensions of SI, EI and PWB of Gen Z in a conceptual model, along with examining the mediating role of EI, this study responds to the calls for upcoming investigation concerning sustainable behaviour as a means to achieve WHO's SDGs agenda for goal number three, i.e. health and well-being.