Spiritual Intelligence and Resilience Among Adolescents: Nurturing Strength for Holistic Well-Being

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical developmental phase characterized by profound physical, emotional, and psychological transformations. This period often presents significant stressors, including academic challenges, identity formation, and shifting social relationships. While some adolescents exhibit strong adaptive capabilities, others are more susceptible to emotional distress, maladaptive coping mechanisms, and strained family dynamics. In this context, resilience—defined as the capacity to recover from adversity—and spiritual intelligence (SI)—the ability to derive purpose, maintain inner equilibrium, and apply spiritual values in daily life—emerge as essential protective factors supporting adolescent well-being. The present study investigates the relationship between resilience and spiritual intelligence in adolescents, with an emphasis on gender differences. A sample of 200 tenth-grade students (100 boys and 100 girls) from diverse schools in Chandigarh was selected through purposive sampling. Data collection involved in-person school visits following formal permissions from relevant authorities. Resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) by Smith et al. (2008), which evaluates one’s ability to bounce back from stress. Spiritual intelligence was assessed using a standardized instrument, such as the SISRI-24, which encompasses dimensions like existential thinking, personal meaning, transcendental awareness, and heightened consciousness. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between resilience and spiritual intelligence, indicating that adolescents with higher SI are better equipped to handle stress. Notably, girls demonstrated higher mean scores on both constructs than boys. These results underscore the importance of embedding spiritual development and resilience-building initiatives within school curricula to support holistic adolescent mental health.