IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/soinre/v127y2016i3d10.1007_s11205-015-1014-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Double Test on the Importance of Spirituality, the “Forgotten Factor”, in Successful Aging

Author

Listed:
  • J. M. Tomás

    (University of Valencia)

  • P. Sancho

    (Catholic University of St. Anthony)

  • L. Galiana

    (University of Valencia)

  • A. Oliver

    (University of Valencia)

Abstract

Rowe and Kahn proposed a model of successful aging, tapping several characteristics of the aging process. However, Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful aging has recently been criticized for not incorporating spirituality in the model. Additionally, life satisfaction has long been recognized as a marker of aging well. Taking life satisfaction as a key outcome of successful aging, the aim of this study is to test for the predictive power of spirituality dimensions on life satisfaction, while controlling for the components of successful aging. Data came from a cross-sectional survey design of 224 community-dwelling Spanish elderly. Structural models with two different measures of spirituality were estimated, and the results fully supported the key role of spirituality for a successful aging. The models predicted life satisfaction with several indicators of Rowe and Kahn’s model and spirituality dimensions. Overall, life satisfaction of the elderly was strongly related to the indicators, and spirituality strongly aided to the prediction of life satisfaction. Results of this research agree with recent literature, as spirituality seemed to be a key element when picturing successful aging, and thus, it should be taken into account in future studies addressing this topic.

Suggested Citation

  • J. M. Tomás & P. Sancho & L. Galiana & A. Oliver, 2016. "A Double Test on the Importance of Spirituality, the “Forgotten Factor”, in Successful Aging," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 1377-1389, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:127:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-015-1014-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-015-1014-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11205-015-1014-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11205-015-1014-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martin Pinquart & Silvia Sörensen, 2001. "Gender Differences in Self-Concept and Psychological Well-Being in Old Age," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 56(4), pages 195-213.
    2. Neal Krause, 2004. "Common Facets of Religion, Unique Facets of Religion, and Life Satisfaction Among Older African Americans," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(2), pages 109-117.
    3. Okabayashi, Hideki & Liang, Jersey & Krause, Neal & Akiyama, Hiroko & Sugisawa, Hidehiro, 2004. "Mental health among older adults in Japan: do sources of social support and negative interaction make a difference?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(11), pages 2259-2270, December.
    4. D. Shin & D. Johnson, 1978. "Avowed happiness as an overall assessment of the quality of life," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 475-492, March.
    5. Sarah E. Kirby & Peter G. Coleman & Dave Daley, 2004. "Spirituality and Well-Being in Frail and Nonfrail Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(3), pages 123-129.
    6. Brown, Philip H. & Tierney, Brian, 2009. "Religion and subjective well-being among the elderly in China," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 310-319, March.
    7. Dirk Dierendonck, 2012. "Spirituality as an Essential Determinant for the Good Life, its Importance Relative to Self-Determinant Psychological Needs," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 685-700, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. P. Sancho & J. M. Tomás & A. Oliver & L. Galiana & M. Gutiérrez, 2020. "Predicting Life satisfaction in Spanish Adults of Advancing Age Attending University Educational Programs," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 271-287, January.
    2. Angelina Wilson & Marie P. Wissing & Lusilda Schutte, 2019. "“We Help each Other”: Relational Patterns among Older Individuals in South African Samples," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(5), pages 1373-1392, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. J. Tomás & P. Sancho & M. Gutiérrez & L. Galiana, 2014. "Predicting Life Satisfaction in the Oldest-Old: A Moderator Effects Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 601-613, June.
    2. P. Sancho & J. M. Tomás & A. Oliver & L. Galiana & M. Gutiérrez, 2020. "Predicting Life satisfaction in Spanish Adults of Advancing Age Attending University Educational Programs," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 271-287, January.
    3. Daniele Didino & Ekaterina A. Taran & Kristina Gorodetski & Zarui A. Melikyan & Svetlana Nikitina & Ilya Gumennikov & Olga Korovina & Fabio Casati, 2018. "Exploring predictors of life satisfaction and happiness among Siberian older adults living in Tomsk Region," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 175-187, June.
    4. Johnston, David W. & Lordan, Grace, 2012. "Discrimination makes me sick! An examination of the discrimination–health relationship," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 99-111.
    5. Sánchez-Sandoval, Yolanda & Aragón, Claudia & Verdugo, Laura, 2022. "Future expectations of adolescents in Residential Care: The role of self-perceptions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    6. E. Huebner & Rich Gilman & James Laughlin, 1999. "A Multimethod Investigation of the Multidimensionality of Children's Well-Being Reports: Discriminant Validity of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 1-22, January.
    7. Hong, Yan-Zhen & Su, Yi-Ju & Chang, Hung-Hao, 2023. "Analyzing the relationship between income and life satisfaction of Forest farm households - a behavioral economics approach," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    8. Greco, Salvatore & Ishizaka, Alessio & Tasiou, Menelaos & Torrisi, Gianpiero, 2018. "σ-µ efficiency analysis: A new methodology for evaluating units through composite indices," MPRA Paper 83569, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Quang Tran, Tuyen & Quy Nguyen, Thanh & Vu Van, Huong & Thanh Doan, Tinh, 2015. "Religiosity and life satisfaction among old people: Evidence from a transitional country," MPRA Paper 81360, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 10 Jun 2015.
    10. Zi Jia Ng & Eugene Scott Huebner & Alberto Maydeu-Olivares & Kimberly Joy Hills, 2018. "Confirmatory Factor Analytic Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) in a Longitudinal Sample of Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(4), pages 1237-1247, August.
    11. Clemens Tesch-Römer & Andreas Motel-Klingebiel & Martin Tomasik, 2008. "Gender Differences in Subjective Well-Being: Comparing Societies with Respect to Gender Equality," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 85(2), pages 329-349, January.
    12. Chia-Chien Hsu & Brian Sandford & Chia-Ju Ling & Ching-Torng Lin, 2021. "Can the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Help Explain Subjective Well-Being in Senior Citizens due to Gateball Participation?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-15, August.
    13. Ruut Veenhoven, 2011. "World Database of Happiness Example of a focused ‘Findings Archive’," RatSWD Working Papers 169, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
    14. Zhenzhen Qin & Yao Song, 2020. "The Sacred Power of Beauty: Examining the Perceptual Effect of Buddhist Symbols on Happiness and Life Satisfaction in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-19, April.
    15. Chia-Huei Wu & Ying-Mei Tsai & Lung Chen, 2009. "How do Positive Views Maintain Life Satisfaction?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 91(2), pages 269-281, April.
    16. Volkan Yeniaras & Tugra Nazli Akarsu, 2017. "Religiosity and Life Satisfaction: A Multi-dimensional Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1815-1840, December.
    17. Joanna Baj-Korpak & Kamil Zaworski & Ewa Szymczuk & Andrei Shpakou, 2022. "Physical Activity and Mental Health of Medical Students from Poland and Belarus-Countries with Different Restrictive Approaches during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.
    18. Xinjie Chen & Zhihui Cai & Jinbo He & Xitao Fan, 2020. "Gender Differences in Life Satisfaction Among Children and Adolescents: A Meta-analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2279-2307, August.
    19. Yuxiang Hong & Jong-Suk Kim & Joo-Heon Lee, 2020. "How Does the Quality of Life Affect Individuals’ Disaster Preparedness Behaviors? A Moderated Mediation Model-Based Case Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 148(3), pages 1039-1052, April.
    20. Wei-Chen Chen, 2021. "How Cultural Values Affect Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults: The Role of Proximity of Clothing to Self," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 95-111, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:127:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-015-1014-6. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.