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Religion and spirituality: a qualitative study of older adults
- Authors:
- SHAW Rhonda, GULLIFER Judith, WOOD Katie
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 41(3), 2016, pp.311-330.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Theories of ageing have suggested that many older adults adopt different strategies to enhance the experience of ageing. The current study was designed to explore the perceived role of religion and spirituality as a person ages. Eight older adults, four men and four women, aged from 67 to 80 years, participated in semi-structured interviews. The results from a thematic analysis revealed three manifest themes (defining religion and spirituality, the spiritual journey and being older but not feeling older) and one latent theme (faith). Religion and spirituality can play an important role in guiding the lives of older adults as well as helping them establish meaning in their lives and to cope with adverse situations. The results show that the participants see older adulthood as a period of spiritual growth and development which provides a means of compensating for losses that can result from physical decline. (Publisher abstract)
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)
Definitions of health among diverse groups of elders: implications for health promotion
- Authors:
- DAMRON-RODRIGUEZ JoAnn, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 29(2), Summer 2005, pp.11-16.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
This article reports on small American study which examined late-life definitions of health and explored the similarities and difference in the meaning of health for older people from several different ethnic groups.
Older people and the church
- Author:
- KNOX Ian
- Publisher:
- T. and T. Clark
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 296p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
The book seeks to explore the relationships between older people and the church, sociologically and theologically. It asks how the church will view older people in the 21st century and willl churches collude in the ageist attitudes of so many, or seek to attract and nurture older members?
Promoting reciprocity in old age: a social work challenge
- Author:
- THOMPSON Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Practice: Social Work in Action, 28(5), 2016, pp.341-355.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In the current context of concern about the affordability of eldercare, and the high profile of outcome-focused practice, reducing the need for care can be seen to assume significance. the author builds on positive links already made between reciprocity and resilience to suggest that the spiritual need to feel valued does not necessarily decrease alongside increasing dependency, but this is not always recognised as key to holistic needs assessment and dignity agendas. Drawing on the meaning-making of service users in the UK and India, and considering these in the context of meaning-making at the level of shared cultural assumptions about old age, it is suggested that promoting opportunities for reciprocity can challenge ageist connotations of ‘uselessness’ by highlighting that even very frail and dependent older people can give as well as receive, and by being better able to thrive spiritually as a consequence, may become more resilient and less dependent on support services. Furthermore, the author suggests that social work professionals are well placed to keep reciprocity on research and practice agendas by championing sociological and service-user perspectives on the importance of reciprocity in the lives of the significantly dependent older people with whom they work. (Edited publisher abstract)
Faith and spirituality in older people – a Jewish perspective
- Author:
- DOUEK Sonia
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 19(3), 2015, pp.114-122.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the role that faith and spirituality play for Jewish people as they age and examine how this is expressed and supported by a health and social care environment. Design/methodology/approach: This is a case study based on work at Jewish Care and supported by other Jewish networks. It also builds on qualitative research on Ageing Well carried out in 2012. Findings: As people age they have a need to connect with their community. Faith-based communities are ready made and often the first point of call for Jewish people. The way in which people express their faith or spirituality may not manifest itself in practice but be more about inclusion and connection. Life circumstances will determine people’s faith, identity and approach to spirituality – e.g. Holocaust survivors. There is a feeling that religious affiliation and the way it is expressed has polarised in the community which means that older people often do not connect with current ways of expressing or connecting to their faith. Research limitations/implications: This is not a systematic research but examines through practice different approaches to supporting people as they age via a faith-based provision. Practical implications: The approach could be replicated by other faith-based providers but also the approach and lessons should be considered by more generalist providers so that they ensure they meet the needs of the individual receiving their services. The inclusion principle reminds the author that care in a vacuum will not support the emotional and psychological needs of people. Social implications: Divisions within a faith group opportunities for younger people to learn from their older peers reminder of more established values around faith. Originality/value: Identifying the way in which faith is often an expression and connection to community and can reduce social isolation. The role that faith-based communities play in connecting and valuing people as they age. The reminder that ritual can be not only reassuring to people as they age but provide structure and purpose to a person’s life. (Publisher abstract)
Christian worship leaders’ attitudes and observations of people with dementia
- Authors:
- KENNEDY Elizabeth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(5), 2014, pp.586-597.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Background: The cognitive, emotional, and psychological consequences of dementia are profound and can include memory loss, processing and, communication difficulties, social isolation and agitation. Procedural memory remains fairly intact in people with dementia (PWD) and is readily triggered via sensory cues and prompts. As religious services are often highly structured, it is likely that PWD can participate competently, potentially enhancing their quality of life, and wellbeing. Aims: This study aimed to investigate Christian worship leaders’ attitudes and observations of PWD attending religious services, to identify recurring themes, and to generate hypotheses regarding the effects of participation in religious services on PWD. Method: The participants were Christian worship leaders experienced in conducting religious services for PWD. The study adopted a grounded theory approach consisting of two phases: a focus group of four worship leaders at Phase 1 and a series of one-to-one interviews with eight worship leaders at Phase 2. Results: Five linked themes emerged: familiarity and structure; enhanced sensory cues; significance of worship leader’s approach; social support from and for family and carers; and the personality and characteristics of the PWD. These themes were used to develop a conceptual model, sharing the moderating and mediating factors of wellbeing. Conclusion: Religious worship appeared to constitute a naturalistic psychosocial intervention comprised of the service itself and the social context. Further investigation and conceptualisation of the interaction between PWD and their social environment is warranted, and collaboration with those people who constitute the PWD’s social support network. (Publisher abstract)
Spiritual nurturance and support for nursing home residents with dementia
- Authors:
- POWERS Bethal Ann, Watson Nancy M.
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 10(1), February 2011, pp.59-80.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study explored nursing home resident, family and staff views about spiritual nurturance and support for persons with dementia. It was designed to: gain an understanding of residents’ spiritual orientation, practices and preferences; examine family and staff perceptions of nurturance and support for residents; and examine institutional resources for and approaches to assessing and meeting spiritual needs. For residents able to communicate in words (n = 47/83) a qualitative survey evoked a range of emotional content, brought back memories, and yielded information about what mattered to them spiritually/religiously. Observations and reported behaviours of residents unable to be interviewed directly (n = 36) suggested emotional awareness of spiritual activities. Family member/staff perspectives revealed beliefs, concerns, and needs for support/training in the provision of spiritual care. Quantitative findings based on a survey of selected nursing homes in New York State (response rate n=48/128) were consistent and identified differences between homes with and without religious affiliations. Discussion of personhood, spiritual/religious coping, and meeting spiritual needs led to the conclusion that professional chaplaincy must move to the forefront of broad-based efforts to educate others about appropriate behaviours for providing spiritual support to people with dementia and their families.
Valuing older people: a humanist approach to ageing
- Editors:
- EDMUNDSON Ricca, VON KONDRATOWITZ Hans-Joachim, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 298p.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Using a life-course approach, this book argues that the complexity and potential creativity of later life requires a more humanistic vision of older people and ageing. This new approach advocates a greater inclusion of older people, stressing the value of 'ties of recognition and concern' which bind all human beings together. It interprets ageing as a process of creating meaning, carried out by older people but significant for those around them, and influenced by the norms and values of their societies. The book presents a range of contexts and methodologies through which such meaning can be understood. It aims to understand older people as real human beings, value their wisdom, and appreciate that their values and principles both matter in themselves and are affected by those of others.
Illness of the mind or illness of the spirit? Mental health related conceptualization and practices of older Iranian immigrants
- Author:
- MARTIN Shadi Sahami
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 34(2), May 2009, pp.117-126.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore whether the way mental health is conceptualized by older Iranian immigrants can influence their mental health-related practices. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 Iranians who had immigrated to the United States after the age of 50. The findings from this study revealed that the older Iranian immigrants were reluctant to seek mental health care services in the United States. This resistance was largely attributed to the cultural differences in mental health conceptualization (language, definitions, and terminology) and lack of trust in the effectiveness of psychotropic medications. The findings of this study have implications for health and social service professionals who provide services to older immigrants, refugees, and minority populations whose mental health conceptualization may not be consistent with the biomedical model.