Religious Influences on Health and Well-Being in the Elderly

by Schaie, K. Warner

• ISBN13: 9780826124043
• ISBN10: 0826124046
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-06-01
• Publisher: SPRINGER PUB CO INC

Summary

The purpose of this book is to explore key dimensions of religion that are thought to exert a positive influence on the health and well-being of older people. Among the key facets of religion that are examined are church attendance, prayer, religious coping, and forgiveness. In addition, special attention is devoted to the influence of religion over the life course as well as important issues involving race and religion in late life. Within each area, experts discuss important research findings and identify new directions for research in the future. This volume is noteworthy for several reasons. First, it is one of only a handful of books that are devoted specifically to religion and health in later life. Second, and more important, the chapters are written by widely recognized experts who played a major role in shaping thefield. These experts are not writing about the field alone - they are the field.

Table of Contents

Contributors	vii
Preface	ix
An Introduction to Research on Religion, Aging, and Health: Exploring New Prospects and Key Challenges	1	(19)
Neal Krause
Religious Observance and Health: Theory and Research	20	(49)
Ellen L. Idler
Commentary: Religion and Health: A European Perspective	44	(15)
Christian J. Lalive d'Epinay
Dario Spini
Commentary: Observing Religion and Health	59	(10)
Roger Finke
Prayer, Love, and Transcendence: An Epidemiologic Perspective	69	(45)
Jeff Levin
Commentary: Next Steps in Understanding the Prayer/Health Connection	96	(8)
Kenneth F. Ferraro
Commentary: Prayer and the Elderly: Exploring a ``Gerontological Mystery''	104	(10)
Margaret M. Poloma
Empirical Advances in the Psychology of Religion and Coping	114	(49)
Kenneth I. Pargament
Gene G. Ano
Commentary: Religious Coping in Later Life	141	(11)
Susan H. McFadden
Commentary: Religion, Coping, and Health	152	(11)
A. Sandra Willis
Religion, Forgiveness, and Adjustment in Older Adulthood	163	(52)
Giacomo Bono
Michael E. McCullough
Commentary: Unforgiveness, Forgiveness, Religion, and Health During Aging	187	(15)
Everett L. Worthington, Jr.
Commentary: Multiple Forms of Forgiveness and their Relationships with Aging and Religion	202	(13)
Marc A. Musick
Race and Ethnicity in Religion and Health	215	(31)
Linda M. Chatters
Commentary: Race and SES Differences in the Relationship Between Religion and Health	238	(8)
Keith E. Whitfield
Kimya I. Jackson
Religion and Health in Life Course Perspective	246	(37)
Linda K. George
Judith C. Hays
Elizabeth P. Flint
Keith G. Meador
Author Index	283	(12)
Subject Index	295