Grit, Spirituality, and Hope in Women Veterans.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe relationships among grit, spirituality, and hope in women Veterans (N = 80).

Method: A descriptive, correlational design was used. Study variables were measured with the Short Grit Scale, Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and Hope Scale.

Results: Mean scores for spirituality, grit, and hope were 4.37 (SD = 1.04), 3.47 (SD = 0.68), and 51.24 (SD = 7.17), respectively. Spirituality was positively associated with grit but was not statistically significant (r = 0.17, p = 0.14). Spirituality was positively associated with total hope (r = 0.241, p = 0.04). Total hope was positively correlated with grit (r = 0.378, p < 0.001). The coefficient measuring the total effect of spirituality on grit was 0.12 (p = 0.11). When hope was introduced, the coefficient was reduced to 0.05, indicating that hope mediated the relationship between spirituality and grit.

Conclusion: Strong levels of spirituality, grit, and hope were evident in women Veterans. Positive relationships were found between variables, with hope influencing the relationship between spirituality and grit. Spirituality, hope, and grit are sources of strength in women Veterans that provide opportunities for support by the health care team. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].