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Spiritual perspectives of Black Caribbean and White British older adults: development of a spiritual typology in later life
- Authors:
- SADLER Euan, BIGGS Simon, GLASER Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(3), 2013, pp.511-538.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Spirituality is positively linked to health and well-being in later life, particularly among older adults of black ethnic groups. However, definitions of spirituality in the literature have largely been theoretically informed, rather than based on the views of older people themselves. Using in-depth interviews with 34 individuals aged between 60 and 95 years in South London, this study examines the spiritual perspectives of Black Caribbean and White British older adults. The research aimed to develop a spiritual typology to add to an understanding of the process of spirituality in later life. Findings showed that Black Caribbean older individuals mostly defined spirituality in relation to their belief in a transcendent God, whereas White British older individuals tended to draw upon a wider range of spiritual, religious or secular notions. A spirituality typology in later life captured four categories of relationship, between ‘God to self’, ‘self to God’, ‘self to universe’ and ‘self to life’. The typology highlights the central role of ethnicity in shaping spiritual perspectives in later life, and identifies the multidimensional nature of spirituality among older adults, reflecting in part a developmental process, although a process which is socially and culturally constructed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age-friendly organisations: the role of organisational culture and the participation of older workers
- Authors:
- APPANNAH Arti, BIGGS Simon
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 29(1), 2015, pp.37-51.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Population ageing is a global phenomenon that has become prominent in international discourse over the past few decades. This discussion is often coupled with the economic implications of population ageing through reduced workforce participation of the older age group, increased government spending on health and pensions and reduced government income from taxes. A means of mitigating the economic costs of ageing is to lift the proportion of older individuals in the workforce and prolong working lives. This brings to the forefront an important point regarding the need for organisations to undertake changes so as to better enable the employment of older individuals and to cater for an ageing workforce. This article critically reflects on age-friendly organisational practices that can have an impact on the recruitment and retention of older individuals. It further contends that there is a need to develop a deeper understanding of factors that constitute an organisational culture geared towards the older demographic, in order for strategies and practices directed at older workers to be effective. Through this argument, the authors consolidate the literature on age-friendly organisational practices and propose a conceptual model of an age-friendly organisational culture, drawing from both functionalist and interpretivist paradigms. (Publisher abstract)