Conceptual Definition and Operationalization of Spiritual Health: A Methodological Study

Abstract

Background: Various definitions have been provided on the concept of the spiritual health since its introduction by Moberg (1971) and there has been no agreement on its method of measurement either in the empirical research or in the common interpretations. The main purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive definition of the spiritual health and the operational definition of the components and indices and the analysis of the measurement scales of the spiritual health based on the aboriginal culture of Iran. Method: this study is based on a methodological approach. Data have been collected by a documental method. It is used of Walker and Avant (2005) method for conceptual analysis. The space of the literal concept of the spiritual health has been delineated and the corporal position of its components and indices has been determined after data collection. Results: spirituality is a state of being, but the spiritual health is a state of having. What is today raised about the spiritual health in the scientific literature, rather deals with the influence of spiritual teachings and beliefs on the individuals' health and the improvement process of their diseases that are discussed in a medical ground; but attitude on the spiritual health in Iran includes a broader and more comprehensive concept. Conclusion : the spiritual health of the humans must be defined based on a process of the interaction between man in the world of being and a superior and sovereign sacred power. In measuring the spiritual health of the individuals, our attitude toward the spiritual health should not be examined, rather, the, personal cognitions, actions emotions and outcomes of the individuals should be studied in this measurement.