Spirituality, Religion, and Aging Research in Social Work: State of the Art and Future Possibilities

Nelson-Becker, Holly; Canda, Edward R.

doi:10.1080/15528030801988849

Cited by 23 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Our findings also suggest it is important that researchers further examine spirituality as a phenomena within the aging populations in order to understand exactly how elders are conceptualizing and utilizing it within the context of aging (Nelson-Becker & Canda, 2008). Additionally, further research is needed to better understand the changing role churches as spiritual communities may play for some elders.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Furthermore, knowing what spirituality is and how elders are potentially using it can have possible practice implications resulting in the development of interventions and programs that are spiritually based. More knowledge needs to be gathered in addressing spirituality in the public realm: what ethical guidelines are to be assumed in direct practice, how should institutions of education be addressing spirituality, how are different disciplines utilizing spirituality, and identifying where spirituality fits in with macro level service and public policy (Nelson-Becker & Canda, 2008). Spirituality has the potential to provide some elders with peace, comfort, connectedness, and strength.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Making Sense of Extreme Longevity: Explorations Into the Spiritual Lives of Centenarians

Manning

Leek

Radina

2012

Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging

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As the population grows older and more individuals live into advanced age the oldest-old segment will continue to increase in size. This qualitative study analyzes data gathered using in-depth interviewing and explores the spiritual saliency for sixteen centenarians. Results illustrate the importance spirituality has for older adults over the lifecourse, particularly those in advanced age. Our findings indicate that spirituality is key factor of support, an important resource in late life, and maintains continuity over the lifecourse for the centenarians. Additionally, spirituality serves as critical component in the everyday lives of the participants and provide a framework for helping older adults make sense of having lived a very long life. The findings reported here support the need for researchers and practitioners to consider the importance of spirituality in late life, particularly for those in their last decades.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Making Sense of Extreme Longevity: Explorations Into the Spiritual Lives of Centenarians

Manning

Leek

Radina

2012

Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, from the 1920s to the 1970s, in the process of professionalising and secularising social work, spirituality gradually faded away from the scene of social work ( Nelson-Becker and Canda, 2008 ; McInnis-Dittrich, 2009 ; Canda and Furman, 2010 ). Dramatically, a renewed interest in spirituality has grown steadily in the social work profession since the 1980s, and spiritually sensitive social work practice is hitting its stride ( Bullis, 1996 ; Canda, 2005 ; Derezotes, 2006 ; Nelson-Becker and Canda, 2008 ; Lee et al , 2009 ; McInnis-Dittrich, 2009 ; Canda and Furman, 2010 ). This rapprochement with spirituality would deepen and enhance social work practice by, inter alia, promoting the holistic care of clients and synergising with the strengths-based approach to working with clients.…”

Section: Social Work: a Profession Without Spirit?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pargament's Theory of Religious Coping: Implications for Spiritually Sensitive Social Work Practice

Xu¹

2015

Br J Soc Work

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This article proposes that Pargament's theory of religious coping can be a theoretical beacon to spiritually sensitive social work practice. It begins with a discussion of the raison d'être of spiritually sensitive social work, which is examined as being able to cast a holistic and positive glow on social work. Then it provides an overview and a critique of Pargament's theory, emphasising that the theory offers a fuller and more impartial picture of religious coping. In addition, it explores the implications of Pargament's theory for spiritually sensitive social work practice with religious clients in terms of engagement, assessment and intervention. This article concludes by discussing how social work practitioners can avoid the pitfalls and limitations of Pargament's theory.

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“…Spirituality can be conceptualized as a characterological aspect of personality as findings indicated that spirituality is positively correlated with positive personality traits (i.e., extraversion) and negatively with negative personality traits (i.e., neuroticism) [17]. Spirituality exists in every individual and culture regardless of individuals’ affiliation to any specific religious group [18]. The assumption is that spirituality is a positive aspect of successful aging and is one of the predictors of an individual’s health during old age [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors promoting Iranian older adults’ spirituality: a qualitative content analysis

et al. 2019

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Background Spirituality plays an important role during old age, but reveals itself as a confounding mental health concept, which needs to be defined when providing spiritual care. The purpose of this study was to explore factors promoting Iranian older adults’ spirituality. Method In a qualitative content analysis approach, we searched for the factors promoting spirituality among a selection of Iranian older adults. Totally, 22 people aged above 60 years old were interviewed using open-ended questions. The recorded interviews were then transcribed, and a coding process was applied based on a qualitative, conventional content analysis. Results Three key factors were found to promote the spirituality among the older adults: 1) insight in personal belief, 2) spiritual socialization, and 3) peace of mind. Traditional dimensions, the cultural surroundings, and participants’ religious beliefs were apparent in each of the categories. Conclusion Society’s role in making the seniors spiritual role models was very important; moreover the hereafter life on religious grounds seemed to be another important factor in reaching for high levels of spiritual and mystical perfection. Educational interventions based on the elders’ needs for spiritual empowering by health care professionals especially with regards to their spiritual based social interactions and reaching peace of mind, will comprise a major part of wellness approaches.

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Spirituality, Religion, and Aging Research in Social Work: State of the Art and Future Possibilities

Cited by 23 publications

References 53 publications

Making Sense of Extreme Longevity: Explorations Into the Spiritual Lives of Centenarians

Making Sense of Extreme Longevity: Explorations Into the Spiritual Lives of Centenarians

Pargament's Theory of Religious Coping: Implications for Spiritually Sensitive Social Work Practice

Factors promoting Iranian older adults’ spirituality: a qualitative content analysis

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