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Hope as a Divine Gift and Resilience: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Persian Poems in the Framework of Spiritual Health
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Siamak Mokhtari  , Hossein Shams , Maliheh Motavasselian  , Abolfazl Khoshi * |
| Department of Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Khosh46@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (6 Views) |
Background and Aim: Spiritual health, as a fundamental dimension of human well-being, has increasingly attracted attention in psychology, medicine, and theology in recent decades. Beyond the absence of illness or psychological distress, it is defined as the attainment of meaning, peace, hope, and an existential connection with the transcendent source of life. Empirical studies indicate that spiritual health plays a significant role in improving quality of life, reducing anxiety, and enhancing resilience. Among its components, hope occupies a central place. In Islamic sources, hope is introduced as a faith-based and Qur’anic strategy for sustaining spiritual life. The Qur’an presents hope in divine mercy as the foundation of spiritual renewal, while narrations emphasize the balance between fear and hope. Persian literature, reflecting Islamic-Iranian culture, is also rich in depictions of hope in relation to divine mercy, personal endurance, and inspiration drawn from nature, thus offering a valuable resource for understanding spiritual health.
Methods: The present study, using a qualitative approach and content analysis, examined the themes of hope by analyzing 101 verses and phrases from prominent works of Persian literature. The study reflected these themes in four areas of spiritual health: relationship with God, self, others, and nature.
Results: Content analysis revealed that hope in Persian literature is a multidimensional phenomenon reflected in the four domains of spiritual health. The highest frequency of references was found in relation to God, highlighting the centrality of faith and divine mercy in the worldview of Persian poets. Hope in relation to the self was represented as the search for inner meaning, motivation, and endurance, particularly in the works of Saadi and Sana’i. The relational dimension was emphasized in Saadi and Hafez, where empathy, companionship, and social solidarity fostered hope. The natural dimension was evident in the works of Attar and Nezami, where metaphors such as spring, sunrise, and plant growth symbolized renewal and existential comfort.
Conclusion: In Persian literature, hope is not merely a positive emotion but a foundational element of spiritual health, manifested through connection with God, self-awareness, human interaction, and harmony with nature. The findings suggest that literary heritage can offer indigenous models of hope to inform culturally sensitive spiritual interventions and improve mental-spiritual well-being. Furthermore, empirical evidence from health studies indicates that hope-based spiritual interventions can enhance quality of life and reduce psychological distress in patients with chronic conditions. Integrating literary insights with empirical research opens new horizons for developing interdisciplinary models of hope and spiritual health within the Iranian cultural context. |
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| Keywords: Spiritual Health, Hope, Persian Literature |
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Full-Text [PDF 582 kb]
(1 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Spiritual Health
Received: 2025/09/19 | Accepted: 2025/11/24 | Published: 2025/12/21
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