Religion and the Quality of Life in the Last Year of Life

Abstract

Overall, QOL in the last year of life is positively related to religious involvement, particularly its more subjective dimensions.

Autoavaliação da saúde em idosos: pesquisa de base populacional no Município de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil

“…Estudo transversal, com 499 idosos avaliando a associação de religião com a qualidade de vida no último ano de vida, observou resultado semelhante ao do presente trabalho 17 , assim como pesquisa realizada com idosos da América Latina e do Caribe, segundo a qual filiação religiosa estava associada com pior avaliação de saúde, embora essa associação não se mantivesse após ajuste por capacidade funcional 16 . O achado é interessante por contrariar a crença comumente difundida de associação positiva entre religião e saúde.…”

“…Ramos 12 observou que os indivíduos de segmentos sociais mais desfavorecidos, principalmente com menor escolaridade, apresentaram pior autoavaliação de saúde. A influência da filiação religiosa na autoavaliação de saúde tem sido analisada por alguns autores, mas os achados não tem sido consistentes 15,16,17 .…”

Religious Coping and Working Past Retirement Age: A Review of the Literature

“…ADLs include such activities as walking, cooking, bathing, performing household chores, and other activities requiring physical movement (Rajan, Hebert, Scherr, Mendes de Leon, & Evans, 2013). Idler, McLaughlin, and Kasl (2009) measured correlations between religious activities and ADLs and found that religiosity serves as a defense mechanism against depression in patients with severe functional disabilities. They found that prayer helps patients cope with worsening health conditions, while religious participation brings about social support, family togetherness, and personal acceptance of their condition.…”

“…As chronic conditions increase, elders turn to religion with the challenge of trying to regain normal lives (Idler et al, 2009). Studies show religious coping used among the depressed elderly appears to result in positive outcomes.…”

“…Studies show religious coping used among the depressed elderly appears to result in positive outcomes. Elders who turn to religion are able to reduce the severity of harmful effects associated with depression (Hayden et al, 2003;Idler et al, 2009). Deeply religious elders indicate improved quality of life and better overall health compared to those who are not deeply religious.…”