Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses

<b>Introduction:</b> Work life quality (WLQ) in nursing is a critical factor that influences both staff well-being and the quality of care provided to patients. Spiritual intelligence (SI) and servant leadership (SL) have been identified as potential positive predictors of WLQ, as they f...

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Main Authors: Paula K. Dávila-Valencia, Belvi J. Gala-Espinoza, Wilter C. Morales-García
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/7/249
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author Paula K. Dávila-Valencia
Belvi J. Gala-Espinoza
Wilter C. Morales-García
author_facet Paula K. Dávila-Valencia
Belvi J. Gala-Espinoza
Wilter C. Morales-García
author_sort Paula K. Dávila-Valencia
collection DOAJ
description <b>Introduction:</b> Work life quality (WLQ) in nursing is a critical factor that influences both staff well-being and the quality of care provided to patients. Spiritual intelligence (SI) and servant leadership (SL) have been identified as potential positive predictors of WLQ, as they facilitate resilience, job satisfaction, and stress management in highly demanding hospital environments. However, the specific relationship between these constructs in the Peruvian nursing context has not yet been thoroughly explored. <b>Objective:</b> We aimed to examine the impact of spiritual intelligence and servant leadership on the work life quality of Peruvian nurses, assessing their predictive role through a structural equation modeling approach. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional and explanatory study was conducted with a sample of 134 Peruvian nurses (M = 36.29 years, SD = 7.3). Validated Spanish-language instruments were used to measure SI, SL, and WLQ. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with a robust maximum likelihood estimator (MLR) was employed to evaluate the relationships between the variables. <b>Results:</b> Spiritual intelligence showed a positive correlation with WLQ (r = 0.40, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and with servant leadership (r = 0.44, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Likewise, servant leadership had a significant relationship with WLQ (r = 0.53, <i>p</i> < 0.01). The structural model demonstrated a good fit (χ<sup>2</sup> = 1314.240, df = 970, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.08). The hypothesis that SI positively predicts WLQ was confirmed (β = 0.41, <i>p</i> < 0.001), as was the significant effect of SL on WLQ (β = 0.26, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> The results indicate that both spiritual intelligence and servant leadership are key predictors of work life quality in Peruvian nurses. SI contributes to developing a transcendent perspective on work and greater resilience, while SL fosters a positive and motivating organizational environment. It is recommended to implement training programs and leadership strategies focused on these constructs to enhance work life quality in the healthcare sector.
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spelling doaj-art-fe8b0bb9e938403880d5ae80abe2728c2025-08-20T03:08:02ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-07-0115724910.3390/nursrep15070249Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian NursesPaula K. Dávila-Valencia0Belvi J. Gala-Espinoza1Wilter C. Morales-García2Unidad de Salud, Escuela de Posgrado, Universidad Peruana Unión, Lima 15464, PeruUnidad de Salud, Escuela de Posgrado, Universidad Peruana Unión, Lima 15464, PeruDirección de Investigación e Innovación, Universidad Peruana Unión, Lima 15464, Peru<b>Introduction:</b> Work life quality (WLQ) in nursing is a critical factor that influences both staff well-being and the quality of care provided to patients. Spiritual intelligence (SI) and servant leadership (SL) have been identified as potential positive predictors of WLQ, as they facilitate resilience, job satisfaction, and stress management in highly demanding hospital environments. However, the specific relationship between these constructs in the Peruvian nursing context has not yet been thoroughly explored. <b>Objective:</b> We aimed to examine the impact of spiritual intelligence and servant leadership on the work life quality of Peruvian nurses, assessing their predictive role through a structural equation modeling approach. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional and explanatory study was conducted with a sample of 134 Peruvian nurses (M = 36.29 years, SD = 7.3). Validated Spanish-language instruments were used to measure SI, SL, and WLQ. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with a robust maximum likelihood estimator (MLR) was employed to evaluate the relationships between the variables. <b>Results:</b> Spiritual intelligence showed a positive correlation with WLQ (r = 0.40, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and with servant leadership (r = 0.44, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Likewise, servant leadership had a significant relationship with WLQ (r = 0.53, <i>p</i> < 0.01). The structural model demonstrated a good fit (χ<sup>2</sup> = 1314.240, df = 970, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.08). The hypothesis that SI positively predicts WLQ was confirmed (β = 0.41, <i>p</i> < 0.001), as was the significant effect of SL on WLQ (β = 0.26, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> The results indicate that both spiritual intelligence and servant leadership are key predictors of work life quality in Peruvian nurses. SI contributes to developing a transcendent perspective on work and greater resilience, while SL fosters a positive and motivating organizational environment. It is recommended to implement training programs and leadership strategies focused on these constructs to enhance work life quality in the healthcare sector.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/7/249spiritual intelligenceservant leadershipwork life qualitynursingstructural equations
spellingShingle Paula K. Dávila-Valencia
Belvi J. Gala-Espinoza
Wilter C. Morales-García
Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses
Nursing Reports
spiritual intelligence
servant leadership
work life quality
nursing
structural equations
title Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses
title_full Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses
title_fullStr Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses
title_full_unstemmed Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses
title_short Spiritual Intelligence in Healthcare Practice and Servant Leadership as Predictors of Work Life Quality in Peruvian Nurses
title_sort spiritual intelligence in healthcare practice and servant leadership as predictors of work life quality in peruvian nurses
topic spiritual intelligence
servant leadership
work life quality
nursing
structural equations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/7/249
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