A Conceptual Framework and Indicators of Spiritual Resilience in Disasters: A Qualitative Study

Background and Objectives: Resilience is related to self-management and optimal use of energy resources in four areas: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The existence of different components of spirituality can have a positive effect on the resilience process of people in disasters. This study was conducted to explore the concept of spiritual resilience in disasters and identify its properties in the Iranian society. Methods: For this study, semi-structured interviews were held in 2022-2023. The interviewees were selected from Iranian subjects with sufficient knowledge and experience in spiritual resilience through purposive sampling. Data were collected and analyzed based on a qualitative approach using inductive content analysis. Results: After categorizing the codes obtained from 27 interviews, three categories, i.e., "the concept", "the properties", and "the consequences" of spiritual resilience in disasters and emergencies, were identified. Five subcategories, namely patience, preserving of one's existence, flexibility, recovery, and faith in a supernatural source, collectively formed the concept of resilience. According to the experts' opinions, spiritual resilience in disasters could be explored from three properties, including self-awareness, awareness of others, and theology. Conclusion: The originality of this paper can be valuable for decision-makers and managers in relevant organizations, as they can utilize the results to plan and implement essential intervention measures. By understanding the factors that contribute to spiritual resilience, these interventions can be designed to improve the overall spiritual resilience of society and mitigate the adverse impacts of disasters.