Hospital Practices and Research

Abstract Background: Spiritual health literacy, as a multidimensional concept, encompasses the knowledge, awareness, and abilities necessary to understand spirituality, spiritual values, and spiritual connections in students' lives.
Objectives: This research was conducted with the aim of qualitatively analyzing the factors affecting spiritual health literacy in students.
Methods: The design of this qualitative research was based on the framework of thematic analysis. The statistical population included all specialists and experts in the field of health literacy and spiritual health at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2024. By using a purposeful sampling and achieving data saturation, a semi-structured interview was conducted after explaining the purpose of the research. The interview guide was prepared with a combination of open-ended, probing, and supplemental questions regarding spiritual health literacy. With the consent of the participants, all interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Saturation was attained after interviewing 13 individuals. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis method.
Results: According to the findings of the present study, nine main themes emerged: culture, family factors, education, justice, characteristics of society, modeling, socio-economic conditions, belief in spirituality, and laws. These themes are based on 35 sub-themes, including existing values, Iranian culture, Islamic culture, cultural norms, ethnic structure, familial beliefs, types of relationships, quality of relationships, emphasized values, educational styles, formal education, informal education, methods of advertising, educational perspectives, social equality, individual equality, gender equality, equal conditions, types of democracy, types of policies, types of relationships, emphasized patterns, national heroes, historical heroes, etc., serving as precursors to the concept of spiritual health literacy.
Conclusion: The findings highlight that spiritual health literacy is a multifaceted concept influenced by cultural, familial, educational, and socio-economic factors, and can be cultivated through intentional practices and alignment with cultural values.

Abstract Background: Health literacy involves the ability to obtain, comprehend, and use essential information and services to make informed decisions in various life contexts. Spiritual health literacy, specifically, relates to applying principles that foster a balanced and harmonious relationship with oneself and others.
Objectives: This study aims to explore the outcomes of spiritual health literacy among students.
Methods: The present study is a qualitative research of thematic analysis type. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview conducted with 13 experts selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis involving descriptive coding, interpretive coding, and integration through overarching themes was used to analyze the interviews.
Results: Based on the interviews conducted with experts and the subsequent coding, eight main themes and 28 sub-themes were identified under the consequences of spiritual health literacy among university students in Gonabad city in Iran. These themes include self-management skills, self-awareness, self-control, problem-solving, personal development, social development, and cultural development.
Conclusion: The results of this study reveal the significant outcomes of spiritual health literacy among students, showing that it has a multifaceted impact on their personal and social development. Accordingly, incorporating various aspects of spiritual health literacy into educational policy is of particular importance.