Hostname: page-component-669899f699-rg895 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-04-28T06:25:17.217Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Spirituality and religion in older adults with dementia: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2014

Océane Agli ,
Nathalie Bailly  and
Claude Ferrand
Océane Agli*
Affiliation:
Members of the Laboratory EA 2114 “Psychologie des âges de la vie,” Team “Adaptation psychosociale de l’adulte âgé,” Department of Psychology, University François Rabelais Tours, Tours Cedex 1, France
Nathalie Bailly
Affiliation:
Members of the Laboratory EA 2114 “Psychologie des âges de la vie,” Team “Adaptation psychosociale de l’adulte âgé,” Department of Psychology, University François Rabelais Tours, Tours Cedex 1, France
Claude Ferrand
Affiliation:
Members of the Laboratory EA 2114 “Psychologie des âges de la vie,” Team “Adaptation psychosociale de l’adulte âgé,” Department of Psychology, University François Rabelais Tours, Tours Cedex 1, France
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Océane Agli, PhD student, Members of the Laboratory EA 2114 “Psychologie des âges de la vie,” Team “Adaptation psychosociale de l’adulte âgé,” Department of Psychology, University François Rabelais Tours, 3, rue des Tanneurs, 37041 Tours Cedex 1, France. Phone: + 33 6 70 52 08 57. Email: [email protected].
Get access

Abstract

Background:

Religious and spiritual issues are clearly important to the older adult population and may play a positive role in maintaining health and recovering from illness. This study systematically reviewed the literature examining the effects of religion and spirituality on health outcomes such as cognitive functioning, coping strategies, and quality of life in people with dementia.

Methods:

First, 51 articles with defined keywords were collected from online databases. Then, using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles were selected. These were classified according to methodological quality before being analyzed one by one.

Results:

The findings highlight the benefits of spirituality and religion on health outcomes. Three articles showed that in participants who used their spirituality or religion more, through their faith, their practices and in maintaining social interactions, their cognitive disorders tended to reduce or stabilize. In the other eight articles, use of spirituality or faith in daily life enabled people to develop coping strategies to help accept their disease, maintain their relationships, maintain hope, and find meaning in their lives, thereby improving their quality of life.

Conclusions:

Spirituality and religion appear to slow cognitive decline, and help people use coping strategies to deal their disease and have a better quality of life. This literature review allows us to take stock of research over the last decade on spirituality/religion and health outcomes. The benefits observed should be considered with caution and included in rigorous experimental research in the future.

Keywords

dementiaelderlyreligionspiritualityhealth outcomescognitive functioningquality of lifesystematic review
Type
Review Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 27 , Issue 5 , May 2015 , pp. 715 - 725
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Adamson, G., Shevlin, M., Lloyd, N. S. V. and Lewis, C. A. (2000). An integrated approach for assessing reliability and validity: an application of structural equation modeling to the measurement of religiosity. Personality and Individual Differences, 29, 971–979.Google Scholar
Auriacombe, S. and Orgogozo, J. M. (2004). Syndrome démentiel. EMC-Neurologie, 1, 55–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beeri, M. S. et al. (2008). Religious education and midlife observance are associated with dementia three decades later in Israeli men. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 61, 1161–1168. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.09.011.Google Scholar
Beuscher, L. and Beck, C. (2008). A literature review of spirituality in coping with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17, 88–97. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02126.x.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beuscher, L. and Grando, V. T. (2009). Using spirituality to cope with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 31, 583–598. doi:10.1177/0193945909332776.Google Scholar
Bland, C. J., Meurer, L. N. and Maldonado, G. (1995). A systematic approach to conducting a non-statistical meta-analysis of research literature. Academic Medicine: Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 70, 642–653.Google Scholar
Breitbart, W. (2002). Spirituality and meaning in supportive care: spirituality- and meaning-centered group psychotherapy interventions in advanced cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 10, 272–280. doi:10.1007/s005200100289.Google Scholar
Coin, A. et al. (2010). Does religiosity protect against cognitive and behavioral decline in Alzheimer's dementia? Current Alzheimer Research, 7, 445–452. doi:1567-2050/10$55.00+.00.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crowther, M. R., Parker, M. W., Achenbaum, W. A., Larimore, W. L. and Koenig, H. G. (2002). Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging revisited positive spirituality—the forgotten factor. The Gerontologist, 42, 613–620. doi:10.1093/geront/42.5.613.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dalby, P. (2006). Is there a process of spiritual change or development associated with ageing? A critical review of research. Aging & Mental Health, 10, 4–12. doi:10.1080/13607860500307969.Google Scholar
Dalby, P., Sperlinger, D. J. and Boddington, S. (2012). The lived experience of spirituality and dementia in older people living with mild to moderate dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 11, 75–94. doi:10.1177/1471301211416608.Google Scholar
Deschamps, R. and Moulignier, A. (2005). La mémoire et ses troubles. EMC-Neurologie, 2, 505–525. doi:10.1016/j.emcn.2005.07.003.Google Scholar
Ellison, C. G. and Fan, D. (2008). Daily spiritual experiences and psychological well-being among US adults. Social Indicators Research, 88, 247–271. doi:10.1007/s11205-007-9187-2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, M., Ellis, A., Watson, D. and Chowdhury, T. (2000). Sustained cognitive improvement following treatment of Alzheimer's disease with Donepezil. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 50–53.3.0.CO;2-M>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eysenck, H. J. (1995). Problems with meta-analysis. In Chalmers, I. and Altman, G. G. (eds.), Systematic Reviews (pp. 64–74). London: BMJ Publishing Group.Google Scholar
Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E. and McHugh, P. R. (1975). Mini-Mental State: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12, 189–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Francis, L. J. (1993). Reliability and validity of a short scale of attitude towards Christianity among adults. Psychological Reports, 72, 615–618.Google Scholar
Halman, L. and Riis, O. (2003). Religion in a Secularizing Society: The Europeans’ Religion at the End of the 20th Century. Leiden, the Netherlands: Brill.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Helm, H. M., Hays, J. C., Flint, E. P., Koenig, H. G. and Blazer, D. G. (2000). Does private religious activity prolong survival? A six-year follow-up study of 3,851 older adults. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 55, M400–M405.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hill, P. C. and Pargament, K. I. (2003). Advances in the conceptualization and measurement of religion and spirituality: implications for physical and mental health research. American Psychologist, 58, 64–74. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.64.Google Scholar
Holland, J. C. et al. (1999). The role of religious and spiritual beliefs in coping with malignant melanoma. Psycho-Oncology, 8, 14–26. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1611(199901/02)8:1<14::AID-PON321>3.0.CO;2-E.Google Scholar
Hudson, R. (2003). Dementia Nursing: A Guide to Practice. Victoria, Australia: Ausmed Publications Pty Limited.Google Scholar
Hummer, R. A., Ellison, C. G., Rogers, R. G., Moulton, B. E. and Romero, R. R. (2004). Religious involvement and adult mortality in the United States: review and perspective. Southern Medical Journal, 97, 1223–1230.Google Scholar
Jolley, D., Benbow, S. M., Grizzell, M., Willmott, S., Bawn, S. and Kingston, P. (2010). Spirituality and faith in dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 9, 311–325. doi:10.1177/1471301210370645.Google Scholar
Katsuno, T. (2003). Personal spirituality of persons with early-stage dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 2, 315–335. doi:10.1177/14713012030023003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kaufman, Y., Anaki, D., Binns, M. and Freedman, M. (2007). Cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease: impact of spirituality, religiosity, and QOL. Neurology, 68, 1509–1514. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000260697.66617.59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kimble, M. and McFadden, S. H. (2003). Aging, Spirituality, and Religion: A Handbook. Minneapolis, MI: Fortress Press.Google Scholar
King, M., Speck, P. and Thomas, A. (1995). The royal free interview for religious and spiritual beliefs: development and standardization. Psychological Medicine, 25, 1125–1134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Koenig, H. G. (1994). Aging and God: Spiritual Pathways to Mental Health in Midlife and Later Years (Vol. 27). New York, England: Haworth Pastoral Press/Haworth Press.Google Scholar
Koenig, H. G. et al. (1992). Religious coping and depression among elderly, hospitalized medically ill men. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 1693–1700.Google ScholarPubMed
Koenig, H. G., George, L. K. and Titus, P. (2004). Religion, spirituality, and health in medically ill hospitalized older patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52, 554–562. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52161.x.Google Scholar
Koenig, H. G., King, D. E. and Carson, V. B. (2012). Handbook of Religion and Health. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Kosmin, B. A. and Keyson, A. (2007). Secularism and Secularity: Contemporary International Perspectives. Hartford, CT, USA: ISSSC.Google Scholar
Lawton, M. P. (1975). The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: a revision. Journal of Gerontology, 30, 85–89.Google Scholar
Levine, E. G. and Targ, E. (2002). Spiritual correlates of functional well-being in women with breast cancer. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 1, 166–174. doi:10.1177/1534735402001002008.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MacKinlay, E. (2012). Resistance, resilience, and change: the person and dementia. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 24, 80–92. doi:10.1080/15528030.2012.633048.Google Scholar
MacKinlay, E. and Trevitt, C. (2010). Living in aged care: using spiritual reminiscence to enhance meaning in life for those with dementia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 19, 394–401. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0349.2010.00684.x.Google Scholar
Macquarrie, C. R. (2005). Experiences in early stage Alzheimer's disease: understanding the paradox of acceptance and denial. Aging & Mental Health, 9, 430–441. doi:10.1080/13607860500142853.Google Scholar
McNamara, P. (2002). The motivational origins of religious practices. Zygon®, 37, 143–160. doi:10.1111/1467-9744.00418.Google Scholar
Miller, W. R. and Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Spirituality, religion, and health. An emerging research field. The American Psychologist, 58, 24–35.Google Scholar
Moreira-Almeida, A., Neto, F. L. and Koenig, H. G. (2006). Religiousness and mental health: a review. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria (São Paulo, Brazil: 1999), 28, 242–250.Google Scholar
Mueller, P. S., Plevak, D. J. and Rummans, T. A. (2001). Religious involvement, spirituality, and medicine: implications for clinical practice. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 76, 1225–1235. doi:10.4065/76.12.1225.Google Scholar
Mulrow, C. D. (1994). Rationale for systematic reviews. British Medical Journal, 309, 597–599.Google Scholar
Ortiz, L. P. A. and Langer, N. (2002). Assessment of spirituality and religion in later life. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 37, 5–21. doi:10.1300/J083v37n02_02.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pargament, K. I. (2001). The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Parker, M., Lee Roff, L., Klemmack, D. L., Koenig, H. G., Baker, P. and Allman, R. M. (2003). Religiosity and mental health in southern, community-dwelling older adults. Aging and Mental Health, 7, 390–397. doi:10.1080/1360786031000150667.Google Scholar
Phinney, A., Wallhagen, M. and Sands, L. P. (2002). Exploring the meaning of symptom awareness and unawareness in dementia. The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 34, 79–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Powell, L. H., Shahabi, L. and Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Religion and spirituality: linkages to physical health. American Psychologist, 58, 36–52. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.36.Google Scholar
Reyes-Ortiz, C. A., Ayele, H., Mulligan, T., Espino, D. V., Berges, I. M. and Markides, K. S. (2006). Higher church attendance predicts lower fear of falling in older Mexican-Americans. Aging & Mental Health, 10, 13–18. doi:10.1080/13607860500307787.Google Scholar
Rivier, E., Hongler, T. and Suter, C. (2008). La spiritualité en soins palliatifs, guide des soins palliatifs. Lausanne: Société Vaudoise de Médecine.Google Scholar
Sanderson, S., Tatt, I. D. and Higgins, J. P. (2007). Tools for assessing quality and susceptibility to bias in observational studies in epidemiology: a systematic review and annotated bibliography. International Journal of Epidemiology, 36, 666–676. doi:10.1093/ije/dym018.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Snyder, L. (2003). Satisfactions and challenges in spiritual faith and practice for persons with. Dementia, 2, 299–313. doi:10.1177/14713012030023002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stuckey, J. C. (2003). Faith, aging, and dementia: experiences of Christian, Jewish, and non-religious spousal caregivers and older adults. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 2, 337–352. doi:10.1177/14713012030023004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, C. (2011). Dilemmas and Connections: Selected Essays. London: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Trevitt, C. and MacKinlay, E. (2004). “Just because I can't remember . . .”: religiousness in older people with dementia. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 16, 109–121. doi:10.1300/J078v16n03_08.Google Scholar
Trevitt, C. and MacKinlay, E. (2006). “I am just an ordinary person. . .”: spiritual reminiscence in older people with memory loss. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 18, 79–91. doi:10.1300/J496v18n02_07.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Underwood, L. G. (2006). Ordinary spiritual experience: qualitative research, interpretive guidelines, and population distribution for the daily spiritual experience scale. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 28, 181–218.Google Scholar
Zhang, W. (2010). Religious participation, gender differences, and cognitive impairment among the oldest-old in China. Journal of Aging Research, 2010. doi:10.4061/2010/160294.Google Scholar