“What Is Essential Is Invisible to the Eyes”: A Short Italian Version of the Spirit at Work Scale in Healthcare

Objectives: We carried out two studies to contribute to the development of a shortened Italian version of the Spirit at Work Scale (I-SAWS) in healthcare and to explore SAW’s mediating role between personal values (i.e., self-transcendence and self-enhancement) and both compassion satisfaction and workaholism. Methods: Study 1 involved 180 healthcare workers (HCWs) who completed I-SAWS. In this study, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. Study 2 involved 191 HCWs who completed the short version of I-SAWS (I-SAWS-9) and the Italian version of the Portrait Values Questionnaire, Professional Quality of Life Scale, and Dutch Work Addiction Scale. In this study, a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation model with observed variables were carried out. Results: Study 1 identified three factors, named higher mission, optimal functioning, and joint meaning. Study 2 confirmed a three-factor model with a second-order factor, supporting the validity and reliability of I-SAWS-9. Furthermore, results confirmed the mediating role of some SAW dimensions between self-transcendence and outcomes. Conclusion: While SAW’s association with compassion satisfaction is established, its relationship with workaholism remains ambiguous. Limitations and practical implications are discussed.