Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The many faces of religious coping in late life: Conceptualization, measurement, and links to well-being

  • Public Forum Papers
  • Invited Paper
  • Published:
Ageing International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Most older adults report using religion as a resource in coping with the many challenges of late life. Until recently, our understanding of religion in coping was limited by studies utilizing unidimensional measures of religion, which did little to explain the power that religion seems to have for so many people. More recently, multiple facets of religious coping have been explored, along with the implications of their use for many populations, including older adults. In this paper, we examine approaches to conceptualization and measurement of religious coping as they relate to the challenges of late life. We consider some of the social, situational, and personal factors that shape the character of religious coping. We also review the literature on links between forms of religious coping and measures of health and well-being for older adults. Finally, we review recent efforts to incorporate religion and spirituality into psychological interventions, and discuss implications of religious factors in late life for a variety of professionals in gerontology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acklin, M.W., Brown, E.C., & Mauger, P.A. (1983). The role of religious values in coping with cancer. Journal of Religion and Health, 22, 322–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ai, A.L., Dunkle, R.E., Peterson, C., & Bolling, S.F. (1998). The role of private prayer in psychological recovery among midlife and aged patients following cardiac surgery. Gerontologist, 38, 591–601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allport, G.W. (1950). The individual and his religion. New York: MacMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ano, G.G., & Roesch, S.C. (in press). Testing an attribution and coping model of stress: Religion as an orienting system. Journal of Psychology and Christianity.

  • Ayele, H., Mulligan, T., Gheorghiu, S., & Reyes-Ortiz, C. (1999). Religious activity improves life satisfaction for some physicians and older patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 47, 453–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P.B., Smith, J., & Staudinger, U.M. (1992). Wisdom and successful aging. In T.B. Sonderegger (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Vol. 39. Psychology and aging (pp. 123–167). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batson, C.D., Schoenrade, P., & Ventis, W.L. (1993). Religion and the individual: A social-psychological perspective. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkman, L.F. & Syme, S.L. (1979). Social networks, host resistance, and mortality: A nine-year follow-up study of Alameda County residents. American Journal of Epidemiology, 109, 186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bickel, C.O., Ciarrocchi, J.W., Sheers, N.J., Estadt, B.K., Powell, D.A., & Pargament, K.I. (1998). Perceived stress, religious coping styles, and depressive affect. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 17, 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blazer & Palmore (1976). Religion and aging in a longitudinal panel. Gerontologist, 16, 82–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulman, R.J. & Wortman, C.B. (1977). Attributions of blame and coping in the “Real World”: Severe accident victims react to their lot. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 351–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bush, E.G., Rye, M.S., Brant, C.R., Emery, E., Pargament, K.I., & Riessinger, C.A. (1999). Religious coping with chronic pain. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 24, 249–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R.N., Lewis, M.I., & Sunderland, T. (1998). Aging and mental health. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C.S., Scheier, M.F., & Weintraub, J.K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56 (2), 267–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, B. & Pargament, K.I. (1999). Re-creating your life: A spiritual/ psychotherapeutic intervention for people diagnosed with cancer. Psyco-Oncology, 8, 395–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conway, K. (1985–6). Coping with the stress of medical problems among black and white elderly. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 21, 39–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, J., & Wimberly, D. (1983). If I should die before I wake: Religious commitment and adjustment to the death of a child. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 22, 222–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, C.C. (1999). Religious coping styles, perceived stress, depression, and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes among African American women. Dissertation Abstracts International, 59 (10-A): 3743.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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, Volume 2 (pp. 195–205). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehman, J., Ott, B., Short, K., Ciampa, R., & Hansen-Flaschen, J. (1999). Do patients want physicians to inquire about their spiritual or religious beliefs if they become gravely ill? Journal of Religion and Health, 24, 1803–1806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (1980). Psychotherapy and atheistic values: A response to A.E. Bergin’s “Psychotherapy and religious values.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 642–645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C.G, & Taylor, R.J. (1996). Turning to prayer: Social and situational antecedents of religious coping among African Americans. Review of Religious Research, 38, 111–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emery, E. (2000). Coping with Cardiac Pacemaker Implantation: Perceptions of control, religious and non-religious coping, and post-surgical affect. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Bowling Green State University.

  • Emery, E. (2002). Living History Spiritually—Or not? A comparison of conventional and spiritually-integrated reminiscence groups. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. (1950). Childhood and society. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferraro, K.F., & Albrecht-Jensen, C.M. (1991) Does religion influence adult health? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 30, 193–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., Lazarus, R.S., Gruen, R., & Delongis, A. (1986). Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 571–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (1927/1961). The future of an illusion. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallup, G. & Lindsay, D.M. (1999). Surveying the religious landscape: Trends in U.S. belief. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, J.W., & Lyon, J.L. (1982). Cancer in Utah Mormon women by church activity level. American Journal of Epidemiology, 116, 243–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gil, K.M., Abrams, M.R., Phillips, G. & Keefe, F.J. (1989). Sickle cell disease pain: Relation of coping strategies to adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 725–731.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, E., Mahy, G.E., & Young, J.L. (1986). Psychological benefits of spiritual Baptist “mourning” II: An empirical assessment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 143, 226–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, R.C., Dew, M.A., Lee, A., Amaya, M., Buches, L., Reetz, D., & Coleman, G. (1995). The role of religion in heart-transplant recipients’ long-term health and well-being. Journal of Religion and Health, 34, 17–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, A.H.S., Thoresen, C.E., McCullough, M.E., & Larson, D.B. (1999). Spiritually and religiously oriented health interventions. Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 413–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Idler, E.L. (1987). Religious involvement and the health of the elderly: Some hypotheses and an initial test. Social Forces, 66, 226–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Idler, E.L., & Kasl, S.V. (1992). Religion, disability, depression, and the timing of death. American Journal of Sociology, 97, 1052–1079.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, L.E., & Coursey, R.D. (1988). The relationship of God control and internal locus of control to intrinsic religious motivation, coping, and purpose in life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 27, 399–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, R. & Pargament, K.I. (1988). Cognitive appraisals in cancer patients. Social Science and Medicine, 26, 625–633.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, W.B., DeVries, R., Ridley, C.R., Pettorini, D., & Peterson, D.R. (1994). The comparative efficacy of Christian and secular rational-emotive therapy with Christian clients. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 22, 130–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, W.B., & Ridley, C.R. (1992). Brief Christian and non-Christian rational-emotive therapy with depressed Christian clients: An exploratory study. Counseling and Values, 36, 220–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joyce, C.R.B., & Welldon, R.M.C. (1965). The objective efficacy of prayer: a double-blind clinical trial. Journal of Chronic Disease, 18, 367–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaljian, L.C., Jekel, J.F., & Freidland, G. (1998). End-of-life decisions in HIV-positive patients: The role of spiritual beliefs. AIDS, 12, 103–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keefe, F.J., Crisson, J., Urban, B.J., & Williams, D.A. (1990). Analyzing chronic low back pain: The relative contribution of pain coping strategies. Pain, 40, 293–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, M.D. & Hunt, R.A. (1969). Measuring the religious variable: Amended findings. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 8, 321–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkpatrick, L.A. (1989). A psychometric analysis of the Allport-Ross and Feagin measures of intrinsic-extrinsic religious orientation. In M. Lynn & D. Moberg (Eds.), Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion (Vol. 1, pp. 1–30). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G. (1988). Religious behaviors and death anxiety in later life. Hospice Journal, 4, 3–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G. (1998). Religious attitudes and practices of hospitalized medically ill elderly adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13, 213–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G. (1990). Research on religion and mental health in later life: A Review and Commentary. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23, 23–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G. (2002) Spirituality in patient care: Why, how, when, and what? Radnor, PA: Templeton Foundation Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G., George, L.K., & Siegler, I.C. (1988). The use of religion and other emotion-regulating coping strategies among older adults. Gerontologist, 28, 303–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G., Moberg, D.O., & Kvale, J.N. (1988). Religious activities and attitudes of older adults in a geriatric assessment clinic. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 36, 362–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G, O’Connor, C.M., Guarisco, S.A., Zabel, M., & Ford, S.M. (1993). Depressive disorder in older medical inpatients on general medicine and cardiology services at a university teaching hospital. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1, 197–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G., Pargament, K.I., & Nielson, J. (1998). Religious coping and health status in medically ill hospitalized older adults. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 186, 513–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G., Siegler, I.C., Meador, K., & George, L.K. (1990). Religious coping and personality in later life. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 5, 123–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G., Smiley, M., & Gonzales, J.A.P. (1988). Religion, health, and aging: A review and theoretical integration. New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G., Weiner, D.K., Peterson, B.L., Meador, K.G., Keefe, F.J. (1997). Religious coping in the nursing home: a biopsychosocial model. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 27, 365–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N. (1998). Neighborhood deterioration, religious coping, and changes in health during late life. Gerontologist, 38, 653–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N., Ellison, C.G., Shaw, B.A., Marcum, J.P., & Boardman, J.D. (2001). Church-based social support and religious coping. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 637–656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N., Ellison, C.G., & Wulff, K.M. (1998). Church-based support, negative interaction, and well-being. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 73, 725–741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kübler-Ross, E. (1969) On Death and Dying. New York, NY: Touchstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larson, D.B., Koenig, H., Kaplan, B.H., Greenberg, R.S., Logue, E., & Tyroler, H.A. (1989). The impact of religion on men’s blood pressure. Journal of Religion and Health, 28, 265–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Coping and adaptation. In W.D. Gentry (Ed.), The handbook of behavioral medicine. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J.S. (1995). Religion. In G.L. Maddox (Ed.) The encyclopedia of aging (2nd ed., pp. 799–802). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J.S., & Taylor, R.J. (1997). Age differences in patterns and correlates of the frequency of prayer. Gerontologist, 37, 75–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J.S. & Vanderpool, H.Y. (1991). Religious factors in physical health and the prevention of illness. Prevention in Human Services, 9, 41–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loewenthal, K.M., MacLeod, A.K., Goldblatt, V., Lubitsh, G., & Valentine, J.D. (2000). Comfort and joy? Religion, cognition, and mood in Protestants and Jews under stress. Cognition and Emotion, 14, 355–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, A., Pargament, K.I., Jewell, T., Swank, A., Scott, E., Emery, E., & Rye, M. (1999). Marriage and the spiritual realm: The role of proximal and distal religious constructs in marital functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 13, 321–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manfredi, C. & Pickett, M. (1987). Perceived stressful situations and coping strategies utilized by the elderly. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 4, 99–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markson, E.W. (1985–86). Gender roles and memory loss in old age: An exploration of linkages. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 22, 205–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matt, G.E., & Dean, A. (1993). Social support from friends and psychological distress among elderly persons: Moderator effects of age. Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 34, 187–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maton, K.I. (1989). The stress-buffering role of spiritual support: Cross-sectional and prospective investigations. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 28, 310–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCullough, M.E. (1999). Research on religion-accomodative counseling: Review and meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 46, 92–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCullough, M.E. & Larson, D.B. (1999) Prayer. In W.R. Miller (Ed.) Integrating Spirituality into Treatment. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, D.N., Silver, R.C., & Wortman, C.B. (1993). Religion’s role in adjustment to a negative life event: Coping with the loss of a child. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 812–821.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McReady, W, C., & Greeley, A.M. (1976). The ultimate values of the American population (Vol. 23). Beverly Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M. (1985). Social support and health of the elderly. In S. Cohen and L. Syme (Eds.) Social Support and Health. Orlando, Florida: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neighbors, H.W., Jackson, J.S., Bowman, P.J., & Gurin, G. (1983). Stress, coping, and black mental health: Preliminary findings from a national study. In R. Hess & J. Hermalin (Eds.), Innovation in prevention (pp. 5–29). New York: Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newport, F. (2000). America remains predominantly Christian. Gallup News Service [Online].

  • Nooney, J., & Woodrum, E. (2002). Religious coping and church-based social support as predictors of mental health outcomes: Testing a conceptual model. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 41, 359–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, M.E. (1982). Religious faith and adjustment to long-term hemodialysis. Journal of Religion and Health, 21, 8–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Laoire, S. (1997). An experimental study of the effects of distant, intercessory prayer on self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3, 38–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxman, T.E., Freeman, D.H., & Manheimer, E.D. (1995). Lack of social participation or religious strength and comfort as risk factors for death after cardiac surgery in the elderly. Psychosomatic Medicine, 57, 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I. (1990). God help me: Toward a theoretical framework of coping for the psychology of religion. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 2, 195–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I. (2002). The bitter and the sweet: An evaluation of the costs and benefits of religiousness. Psychological Inquiry, 13, 168–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I.; Tarakeshwar, N., Ellison, C.G., & Wulff, K.M. (2001). Religious coping among the religious: The relationships between religious coping and well-being in a national sample of Presbyterian clergy, elders, and members. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 497–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Ensing, D.S., Falgout, K., Olsen, H., Reilly, B., Van Hiatsma, K., & Warren, R. (1990). God help me (I): Religious coping effects as predictors of the outcomes to significant negative life events. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18, 793–824.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Ishler, K., Dubow, E.F., Stanik, P., Rouiller, R., Crowe, E.P., Cullman, E.P., Albert, M., & Royster, B.J. (1994). Methods of religious coping with the Gulf War: Cross sectional and longitudinal analyses. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 33, 347–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Kennell, J., Hathaway, W., Grevengoed, N., Newman, J., & Jones, W. (1988). Religion and the problem-solving process: Three styles of coping. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 27, 90–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Koenig, H.G. & Perez, L. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Koenig, H.G. Tarakeshwar, N., & Hahn, J. (2001). Religious struggle as a predictor of mortality among medically ill elderly patients: A two year study. Archives of Internal Medicine, 161, 1881–1885.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Magyar, G.M., & Ano, G. (in press). The sacred and the search for significance: The uniqueness of religion. Journal of Social Issues.

  • Pargament, K.I., & Park, C.L. (1995). Merely a defense? The variety of religious means and ends. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 13–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., Smith, B. & Koenig, H.G. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 710–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., & Sullivan, M.S. (1981). Examining attributions of control across diverse personal situations: A psychosocial perspective. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

  • Pargament, K.I., Tarakeshwar, N., Ellison, C.G., & Wulff, K.M. (2001). Religious coping among the religious: The relationships among religious coping and well-being in a national sample of Presbyterian clergy, elders, and members. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 497–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K.I., van Haitsma, K., & Ensing, D.S. (1995). When age meets adversity: Religion and coping in the later years. M. Kimble, S. McFadden, J. Ellor, & J. Seeber (Eds.), Aging, spirituality, and religion: A handbook (pp. 47–67). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pecheur, D.R., & Edwards, K.J. (1984). A comparison of secular and religious versions of cognitive therapy with depressed Christian college students. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 12, 45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piedmont, R.L. (1999). Does spirituality represent the sixth factor of personality? Spiritual transcendence and the five-factor model. Journal of Personality, 67, 985–1013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poloma, M.M. & Pendleton, B.F. (1989). Exploring types of prayer and quality of life: A research note. Review of Religious Research, 31, 46–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poloma, M.M., & Pendleton, B.F. (1991). The effects of prayer and prayer experiences on measures of general well-being. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19, 71–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pressman, P., Lyons, J.S., Larson, D.B., & Strain, J.J. (1992). Religion, anxiety, and the fear of death. In J.F. Schumaker (Ed.), Religion and mental health (pp. 98–109). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Propst, R.L. (1980). The comparative efficacy of religious and nonreligious imagery for the treatment of mild depression in religious individuals. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 4, 167–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Propst, R.L., Ostrom, R., Watkins, P., Dean, T., & Mashburn, D. (1992). Comparative efficacy of religious and nonreligious cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of clinical depression in religious individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 94–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosow, I. (1974). Socialization in Old Age. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rye, M.S. & Pargament, K.I. (2002). Forgiveness and romantic relationships in college: Can it heal the wounded heart? Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 419–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saudia, T.L., Kinney, M.R., Brown, K.C., & Young-Ward, R.L. (1991). Health locus of control and helpfulness of prayer. Heart and Lung, 20, 60–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, C.A. & Gorusch, R.L. (1993). Situational and personal variables in religious coping. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 32, 136–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schnieder, S., & Kastenbaum, R. (1993). Patterns and meanings of prayer in hospice caregivers: An exploratory study. Death Studies, 17, 471–485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrauger, J.S., & Silverman, R.E. (1971). The relationship of religious background and participation to locus of control. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 10, 11–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartzberg, S.S. & Janoff-Bulman, R. (1991). Grief and the search for meaning: Exploring the assumptive worlds of bereaved college students. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 10, 270–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrimali, S., & Broota, K.D. (1987). Effect of surgical stress on belief in God and superstition: An in situ investigation. Journal of Personality & Clinical Studies, 3, 135–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J., Dixon, R.A., & Baltes, P.B. (1989). Expertise in life planning: A new approach to investigating aspects of wisdom. In M.L. Commons, J.D. Sinnott, F.A. Richards, & C. Armon (Eds.), Beyond formal operations II. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spilka, B., Shaver, P., & Kirkpatrick, L. (1985). A general attribution theory for the psychology of religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 24, 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spreitzer, E., Snyder, E.E., & Larson, D.B. (1979). Multiple roles and psychological well-being. Sociological Focus, 12, 141–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarakeshwar, N. (2002). Measures of Hindu religious dimensions: Development and initial evidence of reliability and validity. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, L.W., Gallagher-Thompson, D., Futterman, A., Gilewski, M.J. & Peterson, J. (1991). The effects of late-life spousal bereavement over a thirty month interval. Psychology and Aging, 6, no. 3, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J.A., & Clancy, S. (1986). Strategies for coping with chronic low back pain: Relationship to pain and disability. Pain, 24, 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfensberger, W. (1983). Social role valorization: A proposed new term for the principle of normalization. Mental Retardation, 21, 234–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woods, T.E., Antoni, M.H., Ironson, G.H., & Kling, D.W. (1999a). Religiosity is associated with affective and immune status in symptomatic HIV-infected gay men. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 46, 165–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woods, T.E., Antoni, M.H., Ironson, G.H., & Kling, D.W. (1999b). Religiosity is associated with affective and immune status in symptomatic HIV-infected African-American women. Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 317–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, S., Pratt, C., & Schmall, V. (1985). Spiritual support for caregivers of dementia patients. Journal of Religion and Health, 24, 31–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yates, J.W., Chalmer, B.J., St. James, P., Follansbee, M., & McKegney, F.P. (1981). Religion in patients with advanced cancer. Medical & Pediatric Oncology, 9, 121–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Erin E. Emery Ph.D. (geriatric health psychologist)

    Present address: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. Erin E. Emery Ph.D.
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    2. Kenneth I. Pargament
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Corresponding author

    Correspondence to Erin E. Emery Ph.D..

    Additional information

    She is engaged in research and program development related to improving end-of-life care for older adults and their family caregivers. Dr. Emery is the Newsletter Editor for Psychologists in Long-Term Care, and is a member of the American Psychological Association and Gerontological Society of America.

    Kenneth I. Pargament, Ph.D., is currently Professor of Psychology at Bowling Green State University in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program and adjunct professor in the counseling psychology and religion Ph.D. program at Boston University. He has published extensively in the psychology of religion, stress, and coping. A fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society, Dr. Pargament is author of the book, The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice and co-editor of the book, Forgiveness: Theory, Research, and Practice. He is past president of Division 36 (Psychology of Religion) of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Pargament consults with national and international health institutes, foundations, and universities.

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Emery, E.E., Pargament, K.I. The many faces of religious coping in late life: Conceptualization, measurement, and links to well-being. Ageing Int. 29, 3–27 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-004-1007-2

    Download citation

    • Accepted:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-004-1007-2

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation