Abstract
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 semistructured 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.
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 semistructured 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Event | Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies (CAPS) National Conference - Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Duration: 30 Sept 2014 → 02 Oct 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140801081732/http://www.centreforageing.org.au/conference.html (conference site) |
Conference
| Conference | Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies (CAPS) National Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Diversity, change and spirituality - Ageing and care aren't what they used to be |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Canberra |
| Period | 30/09/14 → 02/10/14 |
| Other | The Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies National Conference 2014 offers opportunities to engage with speakers both in plenary and in ‘meet the experts’ sessions. Academics will present academic papers on the latest research. Workshops will focus on practical challenges in aged care. There will be the opportunity to tour aged-care facilities and learn about new models of care. Early-bird registration ends on 1 July 2014. |
| Internet address |