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Cited by 448Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyAging and Gerontology ResearchPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Religious Meaning and Subjective Well-Being in Late Life

Krause, N.·2003·The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
DOI 10.1093/geronb/58.3.s160
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between religious meaning and subjective well-being. A major emphasis is placed on assessing race differences in the relationship between these constructs. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with a nationwide sample of older White and older Black adults. Survey items were administered to assess a sense of meaning in life that is derived specifically from religion. Subjective well-being was measured with indices of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism. RESULTS: The findings suggest that older adults who derive a sense of meaning in life from religion tend to have higher levels of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism. The data further reveal that older Black adults are more likely to find meaning in religion than older White adults. In addition, the relationships among religious meaning, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism tend to be stronger for older African Americans persons than older White persons. DISCUSSION: Researchers have argued for some time that religion may be an important source of resilience for older Black adults, but it is not clear how these beneficial effects arise. The data from this study suggest that religious meaning may be an important factor.

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  • Of the 25 highest-rigor studies on R/S and self-esteem, 17 (68%) reported greater self-esteem and two (8%) found worse self-esteem.

    “Of the 25 studies with the highest methodological rigor, 17 (68%) reported greater self-esteem [91–98] and two (8%) found worse self-esteem [99, 100].”

    From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [91]

  • Of 120 highest-rigor studies on R/S and well-being, 98 (82%) reported positive relationships and one reported a negative relationship at trend level.

    “Of the 120 studies with the highest methodological rigor (7 or higher in quality on the 0–10 scale), 98 (82%) reported positive relationships (including two at a trend level) [67–77] and one study reported a negative relationship (but only at a trend level) [78].”

    From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [69]

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Authors
Krause, N.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Krause, N.
ORCID
Krause, N.
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2003-05-01
Volume
58
Issue
3
Pages
S160-S170
ISSN
  • 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-5368
DOI
10.1093/geronb/58.3.s160
OpenAlex
W2101135065
Cited by
448
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 17
FWCI
9.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (R01 AG 14749, R01AG014749)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords
religious meaning, subjective well-being, old age, older adults, racial differences, African American older adults, life satisfaction, self-esteem, optimism, resilience
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Black or African American, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Motivation, Personal Satisfaction, Quality of Life, Religion and Psychology, Sampling Studies, Self Concept, Sick Role, United States, White People

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