The Spiritual Occupations of Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Graduation Date
2012
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
Department or Program Chair
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Thesis Advisor
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Henry Shreibman, PhD Rabbi
Abstract
Occupational therapists frequently serve an older adult population, and that population is rapidly growing. However, even though occupational therapy is a holistic health care profession, client spirituality does not receive as much attention as other areas ol practice. Minimal research has been done regarding spirituality and occupational therapy, and there is almost no literature available that explores older adult spiritual occupations.
The purpose of this study was to explore the spiritual activities of older adults, referred to in this paper as spiritual occupations. Additionally, the researcher explored why older adults engage in these spiritual occupations, and how these spiritual occupations have changed over the course of their lives. The design of this study was qualitative and phenomenological. Data collection was done via in-depth, face-to-face. semi-structured interviews, with six adults between the ages of 65 and 87 who engaged in spiritual occupations. Data were transcribed verbatim, and major themes were identified and discussed.
Findings were that participants engaged in a variety of spiritual occupations, both religious and non-religious. Participation in spiritual occupations met a variety of participants' needs: the need for community and social networks; the need for effective coping strategies: and the need for life enrichment and direction. Additionally, participants felt they became more spiritual as they aged, and participated more fully in their spiritual lives.
This study found spiritual participation to be an important area of occupation for older adults, in daily life and during challenging life events. An implication for the profession is that occupational therapists can facilitate client engagement in spiritual occupations to help motivate clients and improve their well-being. To further deepen our understanding of the importance of spiritual occupations, research with a larger and more demographically varied population should be conducted.