Spirituality and Well-Being in Old Age: Exploring the Dimensions of Spirituality in Relation to Late-Life Functioning

Thauvoye, Evalyne; Vanhooren, Siebrecht; Vandenhoeck, Anne; Dezutter, Jessie

doi:10.1007/s10943-017-0515-9

Cited by 39 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 53 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Different dimensions of spirituality contribute to mental wellbeing in later life, measured using the WEMWBS [31] scale in an exploratory cross-sectional study of 279 Belgian participants aged 70-91 years of age. A positive association between spirituality and wellbeing was found, assumed to relate to comfort found via feelings of connectedness with something bigger than oneself, and connectedness with others [46].…”

Section: Personal Dimensionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Determinants of multidimensional mental wellbeing in the oldest old: a rapid review

Cresswell‐Smith

Amaddeo

Donisi

et al. 2018

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Improved life expectancy imposes new challenges for policy-makers. The growing oldest-old age group (defined as 80 and over) is often characterised by increased support needs. Greater attention to wellbeing in this population group is necessary, and may well require a shift in social policy focus. The current review seeks to explore current research on determinants of mental wellbeing for the oldest old. Methods An iterative rapid review approach was used to review existing literature in line with four dimensions of mental wellbeing defined by the European Welfare Models and Mental Wellbeing in Final Years of Life (EMMY) study; functional, social, personal and environmental. A specific focus on articles employing multidimensional definitions of mental wellbeing was adopted. Results Multidimensional indicators reflect the multifaceted and multidirectional dynamics of wellbeing in very old age. Considerable variety in both measures and terminology was found within the literature making precise comparison difficult. The current review takes steps towards comparability by focusing on studies implementing multiple measures of mental wellbeing including evaluative, hedonistic and eudaimonic factors. Clearly defined and multifaceted measures of mental wellbeing are needed to sharpen evidence used in policy development, appraisal and evaluation in light of the considerable diversity of health and functional states experienced in later life. Conclusions Previous studies appear to line up the four main dimensions of mental wellbeing identified in the EMMY study. Actively improving opportunities for older adults to produce benefits to society can be done via a stronger focus on resources such as mental wellbeing.

show abstract

Section: Personal Dimensionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Determinants of multidimensional mental wellbeing in the oldest old: a rapid review

Cresswell‐Smith

Amaddeo

Donisi

et al. 2018

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This reveals that when faced with stressful situations the elderly can find comfort in a sense of connection with something that goes beyond the self, in the same way that they find solace in a sense of connection with others, if this is their main way of experiencing spirituality 11 .…”

Section: Spirituality/religiosity As a Direction And Encouragement Fomentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In a study about happy aging and its association with positive psychological sources carried out with 279 elderly people in Belgium, the results indicated that well-being was positively predicted by the spirituality experienced through the connection with the transcendent and with others 11 . Spirituality supports finding meaning in existence, capable of generating psychic forces to face the anguish, disease and dilemmas that occur on a daily basis and especially in situations of suffering and death 22 .…”

Section: Spirituality/religiosity As a Direction And Encouragement Fomentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The experience of spirituality among institutionalized elderly people

Scortegagna

Pichler

Fáccio

2018

Rev. bras. geriatr. gerontol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: To identify the meanings attributed to the experience of spirituality when faced with life situations among elderly persons living in a long-term care facility. Method: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive survey was carried out, based on interviews with eight elderly people living in a long-term care facility for the elderly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Results: The content that emerged from the interviews underwent qualitative analysis for the extraction of units of significance and the elaboration of two thematic categories: Spirituality/religiosity as a direction of life and spirituality/religiosity as a meaning for life and a source of renewal, fulfilment and happiness. Conclusion: When describing the experience of spirituality as an important strategy for finding meaning in life, the elderly persons in this study revealed it to be a psychic and emotional support for coping with existential challenges. This knowledge allows professionals working in these institutions to invest in practices that incorporate spirituality as an element of the comprehensive care of the elderly.

show abstract

“…Nolan, et al for example, stated, "Spirituality is the dynamic dimension of human life that relates to the way persons (individual and community) experience, express and/or seek meaning, purpose and transcendence, and the way they connect to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, to the significant and/or the sacred" (Nolan, , & Leget, 2011, p. 88). In another study the authors concluded that well-being was "positively predicted by spirituality experienced through connectedness with the transcendent and through connectedness with others" (Thauvoye, Vanhooren, Vandenhoeck, & Dezutter, 2018, p. 2167 Another important principle is that spirituality is also relational. Descriptions of this term are varied (Love, Moore, & Warburton, 2017), but it can refer to the search for the sacred being united with "the search for human relationships" (Mahoney, 2013, p. 368).…”

Section: Dimensions Of Spirituality and Connection: Connectexplorementioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring spirituality with older people: (1) rich experiences

Lepherd

Rogers-Clark

Egan

et al. 2019

Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With an increasing aging population worldwide, there is a need for greater focus on the spirituality of older people, to better support them and lead them to an enhancement of their inner peace. This pilot research used a qualitative approach (with semi-structured interviews) in exploring spirituality with older people in residential aged care to understand more about the factors related to a sense of personal belief and connection that helped them in their daily lives. The research involved developing a rigorous exploratory process. The twenty-five (25) participants provided information about their rich experiences and their connections in four dimensions: (1) people, (2) creativity, (3) something bigger or higher than themselves and (4) their own inner being.

show abstract

Spirituality and Well-Being in Old Age: Exploring the Dimensions of Spirituality in Relation to Late-Life Functioning

Cited by 39 publications

References 53 publications

Determinants of multidimensional mental wellbeing in the oldest old: a rapid review

Determinants of multidimensional mental wellbeing in the oldest old: a rapid review

The experience of spirituality among institutionalized elderly people

Exploring spirituality with older people: (1) rich experiences

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About