Our Spirits, Ourselves: The Relationships between Spiritual Intelligence, Self-Compassion, and Life Satisfaction

The current study examined the relationships between spiritual intelligence, self-compassion, and life satisfaction. Three hundred and forty-four adult participants completed the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI-24), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) online. They were also asked to tell a story about a difficult time in the past year. Both spiritual intelligence and self-compassion were positively related to, and predicted, life satisfaction. Further, self-compassion enhanced the positive effect of spiritual intelligence on life satisfaction. This moderating effect was strongest when participants' level of spiritual intelligence was low. Qualitative analyses found that participants high in spiritual intelligence and self-compassion tended to use their abilities in these domains to resolve difficulties in their lives, ultimately experiencing more authenticity, gratitude, and peaceful resolution out of these challenges. Results suggest that spiritual intelligence and self-compassion are important predictors of well-being. Building upon these findings, future research may examine the ways that spiritual intelligence and self-compassion contribute to psychological well-being and drive toward self-transcendence (Maslow, 1969). Clinicians, educators, and caretakers may find spiritual intelligence and self-compassion to be important tools as they work with clients to enhance relationships with ourselves and others, to decrease anxiety and depression, and to maintain life satisfaction through failure and loss.