Determination of the Relationship between Moral Intelligence and Spiritual Care Perceptions among Nursing Students:...

It is essential to determine moral intelligence and spiritual caregiving levels among nursing students, who are professionals of the future, for delivering nursing care within a holistic framework and increasing the quality of their delivered care. The present research was conducted to determine the relationship between moral intelligence levels and spiritual care perceptions among nursing students. This research was planned as a cross-sectional and correlational study. This study's sample comprised 420 nursing students who received education in Türkiye between March and June 2022 and agreed to take part in the research. The questionnaires to be used in the study were delivered to nursing students online through their social media accounts (WhatsApp, LinkedIn, e-mail, etc.). The Descriptive Information Form, Moral Intelligence Scale, and Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale were used to collect the research data. Students' moral intelligence score was 1.90 ± 0.41, and their spirituality and spiritual care perceptions score was 36.04 ± 6.66. A positive, moderately significant correlation was identified between moral intelligence levels and spiritual care perceptions among students (p = 0.001). Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation was found between students' scale mean scores and their grade level, providing spiritual care in the clinic and considering spiritual care as necessary as physical care (p < 0.05). To improve students' moral intelligence and increase their competence in delivering the best spiritual care, it is recommended that studies be increased on the integration of moral intelligence and spiritual care into the curriculum at all grade levels and that diverse teaching techniques be employed.