Religiosity and spirituality as resilience strategies among long-living older adults in their daily lives

Abstract

Objective: to investigate religiosity and spirituality as a resilience strategy for the long-living older adults in their daily lives. Method: Qualitative research of phenomenological approach based on Martin Heidegger thoughts. Interviews were conducted with 14 older adults registered at a family health unit in the city of Jequié, BA, Brazil. The data were analyzed in the light of Being and Time. Results: The results revealed that God occupies a central position in their lives, and the reading of the bible, praying the rosary and prayers are resilience strategies used for coping with unfavorable situations, recovery and/or maintenance of health, personal and family protection, and, above all, the experience of a satisfactory aging. Final considerations: Religiosity and spirituality were presented as an important resilience strategy in the existence of older adults, showing that through them it is possible to achieve well-being and cope with health and social problems. Descriptors: Aged; Longevity; Religious Personnel; Spirituality; Nursing. RESUMO Objetivo: Desvelar a religiosidade e espiritualidade nas estratégias de resiliência do idoso longevo no cotidiano. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa de abordagem fenomenológica fundamentada no pensamento de Martin Heidegger. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 14 pessoas idosas longevas cadastradas em uma unidade de saúde da família no município de Jequié, BA, Brasil. Os dados foram analisados à luz de Ser e Tempo. Resultados: Desvelaram que Deus ocupa uma posição central em suas vidas, e a leitura da bíblia, a reza do terço e a oração são estratégias de resiliência utilizadas para o enfretamento de situações desfavoráveis, a recuperação e/ ou manutenção da saúde, a proteção pessoal e familiar e, sobretudo, a vivência de uma velhice satisfatória. Considerações fi nais: A religiosidade e espiritualidade foram desveladas como importante estratégia de resiliência no existir da pessoa idosa longeva, sinalizando que, por meio dela, é possível alcançar o bem-estar e enfrentar problemas de saúde e sociais. Descritores: Idoso; Longevidade; Religiosidade; Espiritualidade; Enfermagem. RESUMEN Objetivo: Develar la religiosidad y la espiritualidad como estrategias de resiliencia del anciano en la vida diaria. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa de abordaje fenomenológica fundamentada en el pensamiento de Martin Heidegger. Se entrevistaron 14 personas mayores longevas registradas en una unidad de salud de la familia del municipio de Jequié, Bahía, Brasil. Los datos se analizaron a la luz de Ser y Tiempo. Resultados: Dios ocupa una posición central en sus vidas y la lectura de la biblia, el rezo del Rosario y la oración son estrategias de resiliencia utilizadas para enfrentar situaciones desfavorables, para re cuperar y/o mantener la salud, la protección personal y familiar y, sobretodo, la vivencia de una vejez satisfactoria. Consideraciones fi nales: La religiosidad y la espiritualidad son importantes como estrategias de resiliencia en la existencia del anciano, ya que a través ...

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