The role of spiritual health in promoting psychological resilience in patients with chronic noncommunicable diseases

Background: Chronic non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular illness, and cancer, represent a growing public health concern worldwide. These conditions not only impose physical burdens but also trigger significant psychological distress, making it essential to explore protective factors like spiritual health that may bolster resilience. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between spiritual health (both existential and religious dimensions) and psychological resilience in adults living with chronic NCDs, and to determine the extent to which spiritual well‑being predicts resilience after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Methods: A descriptive‑correlational, cross‑sectional design was adopted. A purposive sample of ۲۱۰ adult outpatients (aged ۳۰–۷۰) diagnosed with chronic NCDs participated. Spiritual health was measured via the Spiritual Well‑Being Scale, and resilience was assessed using the Connor‑Davidson Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression to explore relationships and predictive effects (α < ۰.۰۵). Results: Participants demonstrated moderate to high spiritual health (M = ۸۶.۴, SD = ۱۱.۷) and resilience (M = ۶۷.۸, SD = ۱۰.۳). Spiritual health was significantly positively correlated with resilience (r = ۰.۶۱, p < ۰.۰۰۱), and its subcomponents—religious well‑being (r = ۰.۵۷, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and existential well‑being (r = ۰.۵۹, p < ۰.۰۰۱)—each showed strong associations. Multiple regression analysis revealed that spiritual health predicted ۴۱% of the variance in resilience (R² = ۰.۴۱, F(۴,۲۰۵) = ۲۲.۴۶, p < ۰.۰۰۱), with existential well‑being (β = ۰.۴۲, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and religious well‑being (β = ۰.۲۹, p < ۰.۰۱) as significant predictors. Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that spiritual health significantly enhances psychological resilience in patients with chronic NCDs, particularly through existential meaning. Integrating spiritual care into psychosocial and clinical interventions may fortify emotional well‑being and improve coping among chronically ill individuals. Keywords: Spiritual health, Psychological resilience, Chronic non-communicable diseases.

کلیدواژه ها:

Spiritual health ، Psychological resilience ، Chronic non-communicable diseases