Mapping the Landscape of Spiritual Intelligence: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends, Patterns and Future Directions

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth bibliometric analysis of research on spiritual intelligence (SI) using the Scopus database and VOSviewer software. The objective is to identify key trends, leading publications, and emerging themes in the field. Employing co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling analysis, this research examines a dataset of 499 documents retrieved from Scopus, spanning from 2000 to January 2025. VOSviewer is used for data visualization and analysis of keyword co-occurrences and citation relationships. The study reveals a growing multidisciplinary interest in SI, particularly regarding its impact on mental health, well-being, leadership, and workplace relationships. Key findings include the identification of six distinct thematic clusters derived from keyword co-occurrence analysis and the delineation of influential sources, authors, and countries through bibliographic coupling analysis. Notably, Iran, Malaysia, and India emerged as significant contributors, and the “Journal of Religion and Health” was identified as a leading publication. The analysis underscores the importance of exploring practical applications of SI in organizational leadership, employee development, and its relationship with artificial intelligence. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary research linking psychology, education, and management to deepen the understanding of SI’s role in personal and professional growth. This study provides valuable insights into the evolution of SI research, identifies areas requiring further exploration, and establishes a robust foundation for subsequent interdisciplinary research. It emphasizes the need for longitudinal research to determine the long-term impact of SI on mental health and workplace dynamics and advocates for broadening the research scope to incorporate diverse cultural and social contexts for a more comprehensive understanding of the global perceptions and applications of SI.