Association of between mental health and spiritual health among students in Shiraz University

Abstract Background and aim: Spiritual health is one of the most important social – cultural factors that may predict mental health. The main purpose of this study was to assess association between mental health and spiritual health among students in Shiraz University. Materials and Method: A descriptive-correlational design was used for the study.The study was conducted in 2012. A total number of 474 students (237 female and 237 male) were recruited in this study using a cluster sampling method. Data were collected using Goldberg’s Mental Health Questionnaire and Pulutzyn and Ellison spiritual health questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 software and two categories of descriptive and inferential statistical methods correlation and regression and t- tests. Findings: The results of the study indicated that there is a significant relationship between mental health and spiritual health scores in both sexes (P<001). Variable of spiritual health, can predict 70 percent mental health in female and male. T-test results showed that there is a difference between the means of spiritual health in boys and girls (p< 0/05). Discussion & Conclusion: Changings in the educational system and paying attention to mental health and spiritual health to meet the needs of students may be necessary. There is a need for further applied research for testing interventions to promote mental health and spiritual health students. Key Words: Mental health, spiritual health, Students REFERENCES Alahbakhshian M Jafarpour - Alavi M, Parvizi S Haghani H (2010). A survey on relationship between spiritual wellbeing and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients. Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Science. 12(29-33). Bahrami E Hosseini Vajari K (2003)[ The Relationship Between Religious Coping and Spiritual Happiness with Mental Health in Women]. Master’s thesis,Theran university. (Persian). 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