Psychological and Spiritual Pathways to Reduced Risk-Taking: Evidence from Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

This study uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)to examine how Spiritual intelligence, Resilience, Religious belief, and moral identity together influence risk taking behavior of female university students in Pakistan. However previous researches studied these variables individually, the current study utilizes SEM model to evaluate the relationship of these variables within one integrated model. Data were collected from 60 students aged 16-22 who showed higher level risk taking behavior. Spiritual intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISI-24; King, 2008), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CR-RISC: Connor & Davidson, 2003), Religious Orientation-Revised (ROS-R; Gorsuch & McPherson, 1989), Moral Identity Scale (MIS; Aquino & Reed, 2002), and Risky, Impulsive, and Self-Destructive Behavior Questionnaire (RISQ; Sadeh & Baskin-Sommers, 2017) were used to collected data from female participants. For measurement model analysis Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to confirmed the multi-dimensional nature of all the variables. The structural model reveals that spiritual intelligence serves as a fundamental predictor, influencing risk taking behavior both direct and indirectly through the enhancement of Resilience, strengthening the Religious belief, and having strong moral identity. These findings suggest that a by focusing on holistic, integrated approach to spiritual and moral development can help reduce risky behaviors in female students.