Skip to main content
Log in

Toward a Psychology of Religion, Spirituality, Meaning-Search, and Aging: Past Research and a Practical Application

  • Published:
Journal of Adult Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current work is a combined review of several major theoretical issues in religious gerontology and of related research findings. It is intended to briefly inform, rather than to serve as a comprehensive review of the literature. The current author's primary goals are to put-forth points of information about contemporary terminology, to conceptualize motives for meaning-search at any age, to synthesize a few major findings and associated flaws in the research, and to describe a practical approach to the psychology of religion and spirituality (i.e., coping outcomes research). Within the current work, the reader is directed to sources of extensive reviews of data and of broader theoretical debates.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Ainlay, S. C., & Hunter, J.D. (1984). Religious participation among older Mennonites. Mennonite Quarterly Review, 58, 70-79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ainlay, S. C., Singleton, R., Jr., & Swigert, V. L. (1992). Aging and religious participation: Reconsidering the effects of health. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 31, 175-188.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Balk, D. (1999). Bereavement and spiritual change. Death Studies, 23, 485-493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barna, G. (1996). The index of leading spiritual indicators.Dallas, TX: Word Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, J. I. (1998). Cognitive constraints on Hindu concepts of the Divine. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37,608-619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartkowski, J. P. (1998). Claims-making and typifications of voodoo as a deviant religion: Hex, lies, and videotape. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 559-579.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batten, M. (1999). Adolescent sibling bereavement as a catalyst for spiritual development: A model for understanding. Death Studies, 23, 529-546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson, P. L. (1992). Patterns of religious development in adulthood and adolescence. Psychology of Religion Newsletter, 17, 2-9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, E. C. (1982). Aging as a spiritual journey. New York: Crossroad Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birren, J. E. (1990). Spiritual maturity in psychological development. In J. J. Seeber (Ed.), Spiritual maturity in the later years. Binghampton, NY: Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, R. R. (1980). The faith and doubt of holocaust survivors. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campise, R. L., Ellison, C. W., & Kinsman, R. (1979, September). Spiritual well-being: Some exploratory relationships. In Spiritual well-being, loneliness, and perceived quality of life. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New York.

  • Cobble, J. F., Jr. (1985). Faith and crisis in the stages of life. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole, J. R. I. (1998). The Baha'i faith in America as panopticon, 1963-1997. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 234-248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fetzer, J. S. (1998). Religious minorities and support for immigrant rights in the United States, France, and Germany. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 41-49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fournier, R. R. (1998). The role of spiritual well-being as a resource for coping with stress in bereavement among suicide survivors. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Boston College, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, J. (1981). Stages of faith: The psychology of human development and the quest for meaning. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, J. (1991). Stages in faith consciousness. In F. K. Oser & W. G. Scarlett (Eds.), Religious development in childhood and adolescence. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallup, G., & Jones, S. (1989). One hundred questions and answers: Religion in America. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Religious Research Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerson, D. (1998). Successful aging: Focus on public policy and spiritual well-being. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 10, 65-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, R., Hadaway, C. K., & Marler, P. L. (1998). Is religious belief declining in Britain? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 507-516.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman, R. (1964). Religious thinking from childhood to adolescence. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamberg, E. M. (1991). Stability and change in religious beliefs, practice, and attitudes: A Swedish panel study. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 30, 63-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harms, E. (1944). The development of religious experience in children. American Journal of Sociology, 50, 112-122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havighurst, R. J. (1957). The social competence of middle-aged people. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 56, 297-375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havighurst, R. J., & Albrecht, R. (1953). Older people. New York: Longmans, Green.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heller, D. I. (1986). The children's God. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, W. (1902). Varieties of religious experience. New York: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H.G. (1994). Aging and God. NewYork: Haworth Pastoral Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G., Kvale, J. N., & Ferrel, C. (1988). Religion and wellbeing in later life. Gerontologist, 28, 18-28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ledbetter, M. F., Smith, L. A., Vosler-Hunter, W. L., & Fischer, J.D. (1991). An evaluation of research and clinical usefulness of the spiritual well-being scale. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19, 49-55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuba, J. H. (1934). Religious beliefs of American scientists. Harper's, 169, 297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. S. (1997). Religious research in gerontology, 1980-1994: A systematic review. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 10, 3-31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markides, K. S. (1983). Aging, religiosity, and adjustment: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Gerontology, 38,621-625.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maves, P. B. (1960). Aging, religion, and the church. In C. Tibbits (Ed.), Handbook of social gerontology: Societal aspects of aging. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFadden, S. H. (1996). Religion, spirituality, and aging. In J. E. Birren & K.W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (4th ed.). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moberg, D. (1953). Church membership and personal adjustment in old age. Journal of Gerontology, 8, 207-211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, D. C. (1997). Health, finances, religious involvement, and life satisfaction of older adults. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 10, 3-17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musgrave, C. (1997). The near-death experience: A study of spiritual transformation. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 15, 187-201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paloutzian, R. G. (1996). Invitation to the psychology of religion (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paloutzian, R. G., & Ellison, C.W. (1979, September). Developing a measure of spiritual well-being. In Spiritual well-being, loneliness, and perceived quality of life. Symposium presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, New York.

  • Paloutzian, R. G., & Ellison, C. W. (1982). Loneliness, spiritual well-being, and quality of life. In A. Peplau & D. Perlman (Eds.), Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (1999a). The psychology of religion and spirituality? Yes and no. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9, 3-16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (1999b). The psychology of religion and spirituality? Response to Stifoss-Hanssen, Emmons, and Crumpler. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9, 35-44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Ishler, K., Dubow, E., Stanik, P., Rouiller, R., Crowe, P., et al. (1994). Methods of religious coping and the Gulf War: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 33,347-361.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Peatling, J. H. (1974). Cognitive development in pupils in grades 4-12: The incidence of concrete and abstract religious thinking in American children. Character Potential, 7, 52-61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peatling, J. H. (1977). Cognitive development: Religious thinking in children, youth, and adults. Character Potential, 8, 100-115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pena, M., & Frehill, L. M. (1998). Latina religious practice: Analyzing cultural dimensions in measures of religiosity. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 620-635.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piaget, J. (1936). The origins of intelligence in the child. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poloma, M. M., & Gallup, G. H., Jr (1991). Varieties of prayer: A survey report. Philadelphia: Trinity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ragan, C., Malony, H.N., & Beit-Hallahmi, B. (1980). Psychologists and religion: Professional factors and personal belief. Reviews of Religious Research, 21, 208-217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, E. L., Agresti, A. A., & Fitchett, G. (1998). Factor analysis of the 'spiritualWell-Being Scale' and its clinical utility with psychiatric inpatients. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 314-321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shand, J. D. (1990). A forty-year follow-up of the religious beliefs and attitudes of a sample of Amherst College grads. InM. Lynn & D. Moberg (Eds.), Research in the social scientific study of religion (Vol. 2). Greenwhich, CT: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinnott, J.D. (1994). Development and yearning: Cognitive aspects of spiritual development. Journal of Adult Development, 1, 91-99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stifoss-Hanssen, H. (1999). Religion and spirituality: What a European ear hears. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9, 25-33.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lauren S. Seifert.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seifert, L.S. Toward a Psychology of Religion, Spirituality, Meaning-Search, and Aging: Past Research and a Practical Application. Journal of Adult Development 9, 61–70 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013829318213

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013829318213

Navigation