Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Corresponding Author, Department of Management, Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh Branch, Miyaneh, Iran.
2 Department of Management, Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh Branch, Miyaneh, Iran.
Abstract
Highlights
Introduction
The family is the most fundamental social institution, playing a key role in shaping and maintaining the mental health of its members. Women, due to their special position within the family, have a central role in managing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual issues of the family (Bauer et al., 2020). In recent years, there has been increasing attention to Islamic principles as a framework for analyzing and explaining management and organizational behavior issues. Islam, by offering comprehensive teachings on ethics, justice, responsibility, and human behavior, can be a credible source for developing management theories and models in Islamic societies (cf., Nisa: 58; Nahj al-Balaghah, 1997, Sermon 1; Motahari, 1974). Spirituality is a multidimensional concept that refers to the search for meaning, purpose, and value in life, connection to the transcendent, and the pursuit of human growth (Koenig et al., 2020; Hinells, 1995; Heidari et al., 2020; Hill & Pargament, 2003; Khanbashi & Abtahi, 2009). Spiritual management refers to the process of organizing and guiding spiritual resources and religious teachings to promote mental health, improve human relationships, and create a spiritual atmosphere within the family or organization (Lalani et al., 2021; Heidari et al., 2020). In research related to family mental health, the concepts of spirituality and religion have sometimes been treated synonymously and sometimes independently (Hill & Pargament, 2003; Park, 2013). Given the importance of spirituality as a source of resilience and mental health in families, the present study examined women's spiritual experiences, meaning their beliefs, values, and psychosocial strategies, beyond formal religious frameworks. This approach allows for the development of a comprehensive and indigenous model that re-recognizes women's spiritual management not only in terms of adhering to religious teachings but also as an active process of spiritual self-care, support, and promotion of spiritual values within the family. In Islamic teachings, women are introduced as the axis of the family and the factor for creating peace and affection: "And of His signs is that He created for you mates from your own selves that you may take comfort in them, and He ordained affection and mercy between you" (Rum: 21). Also, the Prophet Mohammad says: "The best of you is he who is best to his family", and Imam Sadiq says: "A woman is a flower, not a servant". Research has shown that spirituality and religious beliefs in Iranian culture play an important role in increasing resilience, reducing stress, and promoting family mental health (Mohammadi et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2020; Park, 2013). Despite the importance of this topic, existing studies have mostly been one-dimensional and have paid less attention to comprehensive and localized models (Taheri et al., 2015; Pargament et al., 2017). The present study aims to design a comprehensive model, explaining the role of women's spiritual management with an emphasis on functional and structural dimensions in promoting family mental health within the Iranian cultural context, and answers the question: What dimensions and concepts does the model of women's spiritual management for family mental health with a cultural approach include?
Method
The present research employed a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach using Colaizzi's seven-step method. The population comprised married Iranian women in Tabriz in 2024 who had experience with spiritual management in their family lives. Twenty-five of these women were selected through purposeful sampling and included in the research. Data analysis was conducted using Colaizzi's seven-step method (Colaizzi, 1978; Sanders, 2003; Shosha, 2012). Selection criteria included an age range of 25 to 50 years, a minimum education level of a diploma, at least 5 years of marriage, and active experience in spiritual management within the family. In total, 25 married women participated in the study. The data collection tool consisted of semi-structured interviews, which included questions about the definition of spirituality, experiences of applying spirituality in crisis management, spiritual strategies for family problems, and the impact of spirituality on family mental health. To enhance validity, the results were shared with participants, and multiple sources were used for data collection. The reliability of the questions was calculated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and inter-coder reliability was assessed by the percentage of agreement between two coders. The validity of the interview questions was also confirmed by expert opinion.
Results
The research findings indicated that women's spiritual management within the family has several fundamental dimensions: individual spiritual management by women, spiritual management of family relationships, and spiritual management in confronting crises. In this study, spirituality refers to the experience and search for meaning and purpose in life, and a sense of connection with the transcendent (Park, 2013; Lalani et al., 2021; Hinells, 1995). Women achieve anxiety reduction and increased psychological peace through spiritual self-care via prayer, supplication, meditation, and studying religious texts. Spiritual management of family relationships includes creating spiritual bonds, performing joint worship, and exchanging spiritual experiences, which leads to strengthening family cohesion and solidarity. In confronting crises, women provide peace to themselves and family members through reliance on God, prayer, and religious ceremonies, thereby increasing resilience. The findings showed that women's spiritual management has profound and significant effects on the mental health of family members, which are explained in four areas: strengthening psychological resilience, reducing anxiety and psychological tension, strengthening family cohesion and solidarity, and creating hope and motivation in the family. Additionally, three key cultural components were identified: the influence of religious values, the role of cultural traditions and customs, and the impact of social norms and gender roles. Table 5 presents the main and sub-themes of the research findings, which include individual spiritual management by women, spiritual management of family relationships, spiritual management in confronting crises, management of the family mental health environment, and cultural dimensions influencing women's spiritual management. The final research model comprises three layers: individual spiritual management by women, spiritual management of family relationships, and management of the family mental health environment, which are dynamically and interactively intertwined.
Conclusions
In the present study, spirituality is defined as an internal experience and the search for meaning and purpose in life, which is not limited to formal religious frameworks. In the cultural context of Iran, a religious society with deep Islamic roots, spirituality and religion have an inseparable connection. Women's spiritual management in the family, in addition to benefiting from religious teachings, includes the development of spiritual self-care, strengthening individual resilience, and creating a spiritual atmosphere in family relationships (Park, 2013; Hill & Pargament, 2003; Lalani et al., 2021). The Holy Quran introduces women as the axis of peace and affection in the family (cf., Rum: 21), and in the narrations of the infallible Imams, women are introduced as the psychological and spiritual balancers of the family (Motahari, 1974; Javadi Amoli, 2006). From an Islamic perspective, women's spiritual management, with an emphasis on patience, reliance on God, compassion, and justice, helps create a calm and balanced family environment and strengthens family resilience and cohesion. The findings showed that women's spiritual management can be categorized into three main layers: individual spiritual management by women, spiritual management of family relationships, and the impact of spirituality on family mental health. Each layer has sub-components that were explained based on a detailed data analysis and comparison with internal and external research. These themes can serve as the basis for practical and theoretical models that are applicable not only in future research but also in social and educational planning in the field of family mental health and women's spiritual management.
Authors' Contributions
All authors participated equally in the design of the study, writing the article, and editing the final versions.
Data Availability Statement
Data available on request from the authors.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their gratitude to Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh Branch, for its spiritual and scientific support of the present research.
Ethical Considerations
Cases such as falsification of data, distortion of results, plagiarism, and any other unethical behavior have been strictly avoided in this study. The authors emphasize that all ethical principles have been observed in conducting and publishing this research. This has been confirmed by all authors.
Funding
This study was conducted without receiving any financial support from government, commercial, or non-profit organizations.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this study. In other words, there were no financial or personal interests that could affect the results of the study.
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