Religious coping methods as predictors of psychological, physical and spiritual outcomes among medically ill elderly patients: a two-year longitudinal study.
A total of 268 medically ill, elderly, hospitalized patients responded to measures of religious coping and spiritual, psychological and physical functioning at baseline and follow-up two years later. After controlling for relevant variables, religious coping was significantly predictive of spiritual outcome, and changes in mental and physical health. Generally, positive methods of religious coping (e.g. seeking spiritual support, benevolent religious reappraisals) were associated with improvements in health. Negative methods of religious coping (e.g. punishing God reappraisal, interpersonal religious discontent) were predictive of declines in health. Patients who continue to struggle with religious issues over time may be particularly at risk for health-related problems.
Pargament
Kenneth I
KI
Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Ohio 43403, USA. kpargam@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Koenig
Harold G
HG
Tarakeshwar
Nalini
N
Hahn
June
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires