Final_Gerontology and Psychology of Religion-1

8/9/2019 Final_Gerontology and Psychology of Religion-1

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Gerontology

and thePsychology ofReligion, , -y a n A d a m s S et h B r id g e s J o y B r o ck a n d L i s a, , -y a n A d a m s S e t h B r id g e s J o y B r o c k a n d L i s a

a r i e B r ow na r i e B r ow n

e ge nt U ni ve rs it ye ge nt U ni ve rs it y


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A Life Lived

Aging

What are yourfeelings about this?

Where do those feelings come from?

We all have one thing in common

Michale Cristofer, The Shadow Box

A salient truth, but not necessarily asad one

One does not have to fear aging (1 Cor.15: 54-55)

How do you feel when you hear this

passage? Where do you think those feelings

come from?

Where can hope be found?

What can one do to cope as one ages?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GroDErHIM_0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GroDErHIM_0


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Focus on the Facts


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How Old is Old?

Vague QualificationsElderly

Geriatric

Early old, middle old, oldest old

Functionality not accounted for

Functional and Life Event QualificationThird Ager

Period between retirement and onset ofphysical limitation

Accounts for individual variability

Not as stigmatizing

Works with Eriksonian stage of Generativity


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.generativity may befound in any activity social, political, or

cultural...Evenengaging in suchleisure activities asgolf can be seen as

modeling a still-active, enjoyment-seeking way of life forfuture generations(Weiss & Bass, 2002, p. 33).


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Religion and the ThirdAgeWeekly attendance and religious activities

higher as age increases (McFadden & Levin,1996, p. 351)

Church attendance drops after the onset of

physical ailments (Koenig, 1994, p. 130;1998; McFadden & Levin, 1996, p. 350-351)Compensated by an increase in alternative

religious activities like prayer or radiolistening

Religious attendance related toRaceLower SESLower educationFewer impairing health burdens

Greater life stressors (Koenig, 1998)


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The Mystic Third Age

The potential challenges and life-coursetransitions associated with aging may facilitatemystical interludes or more lasting experiencesof transcendence (Levin, 2003, p. 408)

With the Baby Boomer spiritualized generationentering the Third Age this is becoming an areaof focus

Can occur in many different areas of life (e.g., time,death, the self, wealth, religion, etc.; Tornstam,1999)

Limited research in the behavioral health field ofgerontology

Little interest from most mainline religiousinstitutions

Implications for advocacy and research?


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Benefits of Religion

Karl Marxs Opiate

Support A place to express fears, sorrow, bereavement

Bear each others burdens (Gal. 6:2)

Provides an outlet and inlet for positiveemotions (McFadden, 2003, p. 47)

Sharing in rituals connects them to acommunity and to their past relationships(Friedman, 2003)

Correlations between religiousness andphysical and mental health (Battle & Idler,2003; McFadden & Levin, 1996, p. 351-354) Lower rates of poor lifestyle choices (drinking,

smoking)

Increased social support networks

Greater positive emotional inlets and outlets

Religious beliefs encourage positive healthbeliefs (body as a temple)

Increase positive mental attitudes toward life


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Race and SexDifferences


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Race Differences

Older African Americans are more involved inreligion than older Caucasians (Krause, 2002)Attend church more often, read religious books

more often, feel that religion is moreimportant in their lives

In both groups, church attendance = feelingcloser to God because of congregationalcohesiveness, spiritual support andemotional support (social benefits)

African Americans who attend church are moreoptimistic than Caucasians (Krause, 2002)

African Americans had the sense thatspirituality offered protective factors

Caucasians defined spirituality moreuniversally, discussing the mystery anddeeper connectedness of all things (Cohen,


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Race Differences

Benefits of prayer expectancy were

more evident for African Americansas opposed to Caucasian (Krause,2004)

Emotional support from clergy bolstersAfrican Americans self-esteem (butnot Caucasians) (Krause, 2003)


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Race Differences

Religion and Health (McAuley, Pecchioni, & Grant,2000)

African Americans have specific roleexpectations for God

African Americans relate things to God ina more spontaneous manner

African Americans talk in personal termsand use personal parables

Caucasians use simple descriptions andexpress their religious lives in terms oforganizational or personal religiousactivities

African Americans described religious

activities, but referenced their religiousbeliefs/relationship with God as well


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Race Differences

Hispanic and those of Latin AmericanDescent are more likely than Caucasians toattend church (Seifert, 2002)

Mexican American church attendance

Is associated with slower rates of cognitivedecline among older Mexican Americans(Hill, Burdette, J. L. Angel & R. J. Angel, 2006)

Is associated with a 32% reduction in the riskof mortality compared to those who neverattend religious services (Hill, J. L. Angel,Ellison, & R. J. Angel, 2005)

Older JapaneseAre not highly involved in religious

institutionsEngage frequently in private religious

practicesAdhere to some beliefs and not others


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Sex Differences

Older women are more likely to be involved in groupworship activities than men (Levin et al., 1994; Krause, 2006) Women tend to pray more than men Women report religion is more important to them

Older men benefit from organizational religiosity more

than women Increase in religiosity = decrease in depressive

symptoms Increase in religiosity = increase in optimism and

self-esteem

Higher levels of organizational religiosity haddeleterious effect for men and women High and moderate non-organizational religiosity

were related to lower levels of death anxiety.

There is often female membership and male

leadership Exception: African American women can carry the


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Sex Differences

Some studies suggest women benefit fromreligious involvement overallHigher in rural than urban areas

Japanese Women

Attend religious institutions more oftenPray more often at home

Pray more for relief from stress and to achievewishes and practical benefits

Read religious literature at home morefrequently

More likely than older men to believe that godsor deceased ancestors punish for badbehavior; More likely to believe in heaven andhell; spirit lives on after death; Death is onepoint on the way to eternal happiness

Latino/Hispanic cultural roles may affectmeasures of reli iousness and s iritualit


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Trauma


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Effects of Trauma

Trauma: spectacular,horrifying, and justdeeply disturbingexperiences (Wheaton,1994)

Types Abuse

Witnessing a crime

Premature orunexpected loss ofa loved one

Combat

Trauma is associatedwith worse health,less closerelationships, lack ofsense of mastery,

greater use ofalcohol and drugs


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Trauma in theLifecourseThe impact of a traumatic event may

depend on the age or developmentalstage in which it is encountered.

Prayer helps older people cope withtraumatic events that arose specificallyduring childhood

Traumatic events that arose during childhoodare associated with elevated depressed

affect scores for older people who haverelatively weak trust-based prayer beliefs(Krause, 2009).


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Amount of TraumaticEventsOlder people who experience more

traumatic events over the course of theirlives tend to report more depressedaffect symptoms than older adults who

encountered fewer traumatic events intheir lifetime, but not somatic symptoms.

Prayer helps older people cope withmultiple traumatic events that arose

specifically during childhood.In highest level of trust-based prayerbeliefs, greater exposure to traumaticevents during childhood is associatedwith fewer symptoms of depression.(Krause, 2009)


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Amount of TraumaticEventsThe evidence is overwhelming that

individuals facing a wide variety ofvery difficult circumstancesexperience significant changes in

their lives that they view as highlypositive (Krause, 2009).

Grappling with adversity may also

provide an opportunity to deepenones faith.

Holocaust survivors: higher PTSDsymptoms, but also higher health-

enhancing habits (Cassel & Suedfeld,


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A Period of Reconstructionand RedefinitionGrief and loss

Parental, spousal, child, or friend deathor leaving

Independence, physical ability,purpose, home

[loss] requires the abandonment offamiliar meanings and the

reconstruction of a new organizationof reality (Weiss & Bass, 2002, p. 21)

May lead to more spiritual, mystical, or

transcendental understanding


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The losses wrought byaging test our capacity

to adapt emotionally,physically, socially, andcertainly spiritually inour search for the

sacred. Our defaultposition is to hang on to try to preserve theways of coping that

have served usthroughout our lives.Only when our valuescannot hold are we

persuaded to release


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How to help

Older individuals cope withtrauma differently

Emotional support offsets theeffects of trauma

Need to develop specificinterventions

Interventions involving increasing

a sense of mastery andinvolving emotional supportwould be most effective (Krause,2004)


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TherapeuticTherapeuticImplicationsImplications

erapeu cerapeu c


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erapeu cerapeu cImplicationsImplications

E va lu a te Pe rson a l B ia se s

D e v e lo p a n d M a in ta in

C o m p e te n cie s

Accurate Assessment andDiagnoses

Sources of ReimbursementMedicareMedicaid

Veterans Benefits Private Insurance

Age does not diminish the

extreme disappointment ofhaving a scoop of ice cream

.fall from the cone

-Jim Fiebig


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Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary Collaboration

accurate assessment and treatment

Outpatient settings, collaboration with theclient's primary health care provider is

critical to understanding whether initialpsychological symptoms and acute changes inthe client's mental status have amedical component.

Collaboration with resident staff if nursing

homes/assisted care facilities-expands cholo ists understandin of clients da -to-

e ra p e u t cra p e u t cIm p lica tio n sm p lic a tio n s


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EthicalEthicalConsiderationsConsiderations

Client Autonomy:unless declaredincompetent, theolder adult has a

right to makedecisions toinitiate, withdraw,or terminate

treatment andcan refusemedications,surgery, and

researchartici ation.

Maintain ClientConfidentiality:

Written PermissionAppointed Guardian

Minimal Disclosure


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What Are Larger Roles That thePsychologist With a ProfessionalInterest in Older Adults Can Play?

Education: normal aging, commonproblems amongst this group,

relevant interventions

Advocacy: public policy (local, state,or national). Involvement

w/professional organizations

Research: Psychologists strive togain knowledge about theory and

research in aging.

Th ti ITh ti I


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Therapeutic IssuesTherapeutic Issues

Depression & SuicideDepression & Suicide

Depression: Geriatric population less susceptiblethan young or middle aged adults todevelop affective disorders (experience lessstress as they age).

Depressed symptoms are likely to increase by age70

Although 1-2% of elderly adults have majordepressive disorder at a given time, 15% experiencedepressive symptoms

Depression much more difficult to diagnose inlater adulthood (fatigue, lack of energy, sleepingdifficulties more common amongst the elderly)

depression vs. aging


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Depression & Suicide

Gender differences, females are more likely todevelop depression (2:1) women more likely toadmit feeling depressed, and are more likely toseek help and are likely to express typicalsymptoms

Will they seek treatment? (undiagnosed &untreated)

Mental health perception elderly depression is

untreatable

Suicide

Especially in the face of loss, illness, or mentaldisorder, older adults are more likely tocommit suicide than younger adults

Highest risk group is white men over 85


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Hope in the Midst ofHope in the Midst of

DespairDespair

but we also rejoice inour suffering,because we knowthat such sufferings

produceperseverance;perseverance,character; and

character, hope. Andhope does notdisappoint us,because God has

poured out his love


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Potential SpiritualInterventions

Spiritualautobiographywriting(Morgan, 2003)

Volunteerministries(Seeber, 2003)

Have them

define theirsense of self-responsibility tocare forthemselves

spiritually (Rost,


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Areas for FurtherResearchExperience of mysticism or

transcendence as one ages

How changes in cognitions affect

religious life

Methods of assessing religiosity inpeople with age related disorders

(e.g., Alzheimer's)

Benefits of religious involvement usedas therapeutic intervention


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Take a look


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Spirituality and Aging Foru
http://www.pbs.org/lifepart2/watch/season-2/spirituality-and-aginghttp://www.pbs.org/lifepart2/watch/season-2/spirituality-and-aging


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Take it home


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References Frankl, V. (1984). Mans search for meaning. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Koenig, H. G. (1994).Aging and God: Spiritual pathways to mental health in midlife and later years. Binghamton, NY: TheHaworth Press, Inc.

Levin, J. (2003). Bumping the top: Is mysticism the future of religious gerontology. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden (Eds.),Aging, spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 412-421).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Devor, N. G. & Pargament, K. I. (2003). Understanding religious coping with late-life crises. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden(Eds.),Aging, spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 195-205).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Krause, N. (2002). Church-based social support and health in old age: Exploring variations by race.Journal of Gerontology,57B(6), S332-S347.

McFarland, M.J. (2009). Religion and mental health among older adults: do the effects of religious involvement vary by gender?Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 10, 1-10.

McFadden, S. H. (2003). Older adults emotions in religious contexts. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden (Eds.),Aging, spirituality,and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 47-58).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Battle, V. D. & Idler, E. L. (2003). Meaning and effects of congregational religious participation. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden

(Eds.),Aging, spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 121-133).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Friedman, D. A. (2003). An anchor amidst anomie: Ritual and aging. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden (Eds.),Aging, spirituality,and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 134-144).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Neuger, C. C. (2003). Does gender influence late-life spiritual potentials. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden (Eds.),Aging,spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 59-73).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Krause, N. (2009). Lifetime trauma, prayer, and psychological distress in late life. International Journal for the Psychology ofReligion, 19(1), 55-72. doi:10.1080/10508610802471112.


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References Morgan, R. L. (2003). Small group approaches to group spiritual autobiography writing. In M. A. Kimble

& S. H. McFadden (Eds.),Aging, spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 157-167).Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Seeber, J. J. (2003). Volunteer ministries with older adults. In M. A. Kimble & S. H. McFadden (Eds.),Aging, spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 168-179).Minneapolis, MN: AugsburgFortress.

Rost, R. A. (2003). Issues of grace and sin in pastoral care with older adults. In M. A. Kimble & S. H.McFadden (Eds.),Aging, spirituality, and religion: Vol. 2.A handbook(pp. 239-254).Minneapolis,

MN: Augsburg Fortress.

Tornstam, L. (1999). Late-life transcendence: A new developmental perspective on aging. In L. E.Thomas & S. A. Eisenhandler (Eds.), Religion, belief, and spirituality in late life (pp. 178-202). NewYork, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.

van der Hal-Van Raalte, E., Van IJzendoorn, M., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. (2007). Quality of careafter early childhood trauma and well-being in later life: Child Holocaust survivors reaching old age.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77(4), 514-522. doi:10.1037/0002-9432.77.4.514.

McFadden, S. H. & Levin, J. S. (1996). Religion, emotions, and health. In C. Magai & S. H. McFadden(Eds.), Handbook of emotion, adult development, and aging (pp. 349-365). San Diego, CA:Academic Press.

Koenig, H. G. (1998). Religious attitudes and practices of hospitalized medically ill older adults.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13, 213-224.

Krause, N. (2004). Lifetime Trauma, Emotional Support, and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults. TheGerontologist, 44(5), 615-623. Retrieved from PsycINFO database.


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References Wheaton, B., Roszell, P., & Hall, K. (1997). The impact of twenty childhood and adult traumatic stressors

on the risk of psychiatric disorder. In I. H. Gotlieb & B. Wheaton (Eds.), Stress and adversity over

the life course (pp. 5072). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Krause, N., Shaw, B., & Cairney, J. (2004). A Descriptive Epidemiology of Lifetime Trauma and thePhysical Health Status of Older Adults. Psychology and Aging, 19(4), 637-648. doi:10.1037/0882-7974.19.4.637.

Seifert, L. (2002). Toward a psychology of religion, spirituality, meaning-search, and aging: Pastresearch and a practical application.Journal of Adult Development, 9(1), 61-70.

Cohen, H. L., Thomas, C. L., & Williamson, C. (2008). Religion and spirituality as defined by older adults.Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 51(3), 284-299.

Hill, T. D., Burdette, A. M., Angel, J. L., & Angel, R. J. (2006). Religious Attendance and CognitiveFunctioning Among Older Mexican Americans.Journal of Gerontology: PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES ,61B(1), 39.

McAuley, W. J., Pecchioni, L., & Grant, J. (2000). Personal acounts of the role of God in health and illnessamong older rural African American and White residents.Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 15,13-25.

Krause, N. (2003). Exploring race differences in the relationship between social interaction with theclergy and feelings of self-worth late in life. Sociology of Religion, 64(2), 183-205.

Moberg, D. O. (2008). Spirituality and aging: Research and implications.Journal of Religion, 20(1), 95-134.

Krause N Liang J Bennett J Kobayashi E Akiyama H & Fukaya T (2010) A descriptive analysis of

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Final_Gerontology and Psychology of Religion-1