Relationship Between Well-Being And Spirituality i

2264 Words10 Pages
The aim of this paper is to argue that spirituality and religiosity have an integrative and fundamental role in promoting physical, psychological, emotional and social well-being. First, the paper will begin by taking a multifaceted look at intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity and spirituality as well as their increasing significance among the aging cohort. Secondly, benefits associated with spirituality will be discussed, including physical benefits, psychological/ emotional benefits, specifically focusing on increase in coping abilities, decrease in depression rates and decrease in death anxiety, as well as social benefits. Following that, are arguments as to why these benefits should be considered, by incorporating the spiritual dimension in health care models. The number of studies connecting spirituality and health care has notably increased in the more recent years (Chiu, Emblem, Hofwegen, Meyerhoff & Sawatzky, 2004), along with an increase in research linking religiosity and spirituality to health, well-being and quality of life among the elderly (Lee, & Yoon, 2006). This paper will utilize some of these research findings to provide evidence, accompanied by two interviews of aging individuals to support the research. The relationship between spirituality and well-being will be examined within the context of the following critical issues that are significant to the aging population: physical health, ability to cope, depression, death anxiety, social support and health care. 1 Critical Issues Spirituality and religiosity are similar models for one’s belief system, which both have a tendency to increase in significant with age. Though spirituality and religiosity are quite ambiguous concepts with many factors, Lee and Yoon describe spirituality as a striving for unity with the universe, transcendence, power beyond humans and meaning in life, whereas
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