Full Description
New Dimensions in Spirituality, Religion, and Aging expands the traditional focus of religiosity to include and evaluate recent research and discoveries on the role of secular spirituality in the aging process. Contributors examine the ways conventional religion and other forms of spirituality affect human development, health and longevity, and they demonstrate how myth-creation enables humans to make meaning in their lives. Taken together, the book points to further research to enhance current knowledge, approaches to care, and social policies.
Contents
Part I. Religion and Aging in Contemporary America 1. Spirituality, Religion, and Aging: New Dimensions in Human Development. 2. The Current Landscape of American Religion: Diversity, Individualization, and the Implications for an Aging Population. Part II. Meaning and Meaning-Making in Spirituality and Aging 3. Spiritual Journeys: Narratives of Meaning and Direction. 4. Meaning Making Narratives among Non-Religious Individuals Facing the End of Life 5. The role of Questioning in Religious and Spiritual Development in Later Life. 6. Religion and Health in the US Context of Secularization and Aging Part III. Religion, Health, and Wisdom 7. The Roles of Cognition and Culture in Understanding the Links between Religion and Health. 8. How Religion Affects Health: Views from Midway through an Odyssey. 9. Spirituality and Wisdom: Their Differential Effects on Older Adults' Spiritual Behavior, Well-Being, and Attitudes toward Death. Part IV. Changing Contexts of Spirituality and Aging 10. Religion and Spirituality for Aging Boomers: Exploring the Issues 11. Spirituality and Life Review at the End of Life in Old Age. 12. Stages on Life's Way: Life Review through Dreams. 13. Religiosity and Aging: Patterns of Change When Approaching the End of Life. Part V. Pointing Toward the Future 14. Research and Practice: Spirituality, Religion, and Aging.
