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24 - Spirituality and Transcendence

from Part II - Psychosocial Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2019

By
Andreas Kruse  and
Eric Schmitt
Edited by
Rocío Fernández-Ballesteros ,
Athanase Benetos  and
Jean-Marie Robine
Rocío Fernández-Ballesteros
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Athanase Benetos
Affiliation:
Université de Lorraine and Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) Nancy
Jean-Marie Robine
Affiliation:
INSERM
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Summary

In this chapter philosophical, psychological and research conceptions of spirituality and transcendence are reviewed as an essential part of human personality, self-understanding, and well-being and along the life cycling. Theoretical accounts on lifelong development suggest that spirituality and transcendence gain additional importance in old age, due to living into old age and facing its challenges, in the context of normative psycho-social crisis in adulthood, generativity and ego-integrity. As a source of meaning and purpose, spirituality and transcendence not only contribute to, but are also considered an essential part of, subjective well-being. Moreover, the impact of spirituality and transcendence on quality-of-life and successful ageing are reviewed is not only apparent from a comprehensive understanding of respective concepts. Empirical research provides considerable evidence that spirituality and transcendence substantially contribute to the perceived quality-of-life, establishing and maintaining resilience, coping with crisis and trauma, as well as to engagement in activities and interpersonal relationships.
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Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Successful Aging , pp. 426 - 454
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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