Structural Model of the Association between Spiritual Health and Self-Esteem of Students in Yazd Farhangian University with the Mediating Role of General Health

Abstract

Background: Spiritual and mental health is among the components affecting self-esteem as one of the key and necessary characteristics of every teacher. This study was aimed at examining the association between spiritual health and self-esteem of students of Yazd Farhangian University with the mediating role of general health in the academic year 2020-2021. Methods: This was a analytical cross sectional study with the statistical population of all students and teachers of Yazd Farhangian University, including 323 people selected as a sample based on Cochran’s formula. Research data were gathered through using the Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W.   Loneliness, Spiritual, and Well-being Scale, Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI). To analyze the research data, Pearson correlation coefficient, covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), bootstrapping technique, and fit indices for structural equation modeling were employed  using softwares of SPSS and AMOS at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: The findings revealed a positive and significant correlation between spiritual health and general health (0/316, p<0/001), as well as between general health and self-esteem (0/423, p<0/001). Furthermore, there was a positive and significant association between spiritual health and self-esteem (0/339, p<0/01). Moreover, the findings emphasized the significance of the general health’s mediating role between the spiritual health and self-esteem variables. Conclusions: Considering the significance , positive and strong  relationship between spiritual health and  general health as well as self-esteem, it is recommended that to enhance the adolescents’ spiritual and general health and increase their self-esteem, educational programs should be revised and more attention should be paid to attracting Farhangian University students.