Self-Spiritual experiences in adolescents: A qualitative study

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of awareness and searches for reinforcement of beliefs, which is the most sensitive period in the development of spiritual beliefs. Spiritual behaviors as an important component of mental health play an important role in shaping their personality and identity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spiritual experiences of adolescents. Methods: This qualitative study was carried out a content analysis approach on 14 adolescents aged 14-20  Gorgan city in 2019 using the purposive sampling method. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews from March 2019 to May 2019. The interviews were transcribed immediately after the recording. Data were analyzed simultaneously with qualitative guided content analysis.   Results: From the data analysis, 252 initial codes were extracted in the context of adolescent spiritual experiences. These codes are then analyzed in the following categories (self Control, Appeal from God, Proximity to God, performing religious practice, and personal activities) were used.   Conclusion: Self- Spiritual experiences or Spiritual self-care practices included subclasses of doing religious beliefs, personal activities, self-control, God-given help, and divine closeness in adolescents cause closeness and Intimacy with God, enduring hardships, difficulties, and promoting mental health. In addition to the above, adolescents mentioned that doing spiritual activities hinders their bias toward high-risk behaviors. Therefore, it is necessary for school authorities and teachers to understand the spiritual needs of adolescents and to provide the necessary conditions for adolescent spiritual activities.