The Role of Spiritual Intelligence and Personality in Young Adulthood

This research study explores the relationship between spiritual intelligence (SI) and personality traits among young adults, focusing on how traits from the Big Five personality model correlate with dimensions of SI as measured by the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI-24). The study finds significant positive correlations between Openness to Experience and various SI dimensions, indicating that individuals high in openness engage more in existential thinking and possess higher transcendental awareness. Conscientiousness and Agreeableness show weak positive correlations with personal meaning production, while Neuroticism exhibits a negative correlation, suggesting challenges for highly neurotic individuals in finding meaning. Extraversion does not significantly correlate with SI dimensions. Gender analysis reveals that while both males and females possess high SI, females tend to reach slightly higher levels. The study underscores the multifaceted nature of SI and its dependence on specific personality traits, particularly Openness. Limitations include a small sample size, reliance on self-report measures, and a cross-sectional design. Practical implications highlight the potential for educational and mental health programs to enhance SI by fostering openness and addressing neuroticism. Future research should explore causal mechanisms and broader variables to enrich the understanding and application of SI in personal development.