Having a spiritual perspective on life can have an effect on the optimism and individuals level of life satisfaction, and it is a protective factor against self-harm in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual development and life satisfaction in students of Qom University of Medical Sciences, Iran. This cross-sectional study is part of study that was performed in Qom University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from February 2015 to July 2016 which accommodates 250 medical and paramedical students that were selected through systematic random sampling. Data collection tools were demographic, spiritual attitude and ability questionnaire and Diener's satisfaction with life scale. Data were analyzed using frequency, percent, Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis in SPSS 20 software. The Pearson correlation coefficient between spiritual attitude and life satisfaction (R = 0.37) at the level of p < 0.001 and between spiritual ability and addiction (R = 0.34) at the level of p < 0.001 was direct and meaningful. The relationships between spiritual development and life satisfaction should be considered in university programs for the development of spirituality in the life of students in order to increase the life satisfaction.
Keywords: Satisfaction; Spiritual ability; Spiritual attitude; Spiritual development; Students.