Work

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

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: 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.

Source: Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging

DOI: 10.1080/15528030.2012.706737

Authors: Lydia K. Manning, Jessie A. Leek, M. Elise Radina

Institutions: Duke University, Miami University

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging