We join spokes together in a wheel, but non-being is what we use. We work with being, that makes it liveable but it is the inner space We hammer wood for a house, that holds whatever we want. but it is the emptiness inside We shape clay into a pot, that makes the wagon move. but it is the centre hole (Tao Te Ching)
Victor Frankl: "He who has a Why can bear almost any How"
Outline • Background & Rationale • My Study • Methods • Results • Conclusion
First things first: What is spirituality? • Spirituality is a multi-dimensional and complex concept. In addition, there appears to be little consensus on the definition of this term (Ho, 2010; Moberg, 2008). Therefore, this dissertation will adopt a broad definition of spirituality which consists of four main themes emphasising a) the essence of being b) the meaning of life c) existential values d) the connection with a higher power/God, with others and with the universe.
Religion and Spirituality are different concepts for different people • ‘Religiosity’ is related to the institution of religion, referring to the knowledge, feelings, practices and beliefs of people.
Is it really that important to study spirituality in older men? • Lack of research • As one ages, “being” may become more significant that “doing”. • A man, who has spent his life working to provide for a family, being the handyman around the house, and going from task to task, may find this particularly difficult. • The retirement effect • Masculine Identity
Global Statistics by Age and Gender World Health Organisation (2000)
Suicide in Later Life by Gender
Why am I studying spirituality through health science? If suicide stats aren’t enough to convince you... • Amendment of the WHO definition of health • Whole person/patient centred care. “Physical disease may cause difficulty breathing, which is exacerbated by social circumstances as well as feelings of anxiety; but the difficult experience will also be affected by the individual’s sense of hope or awareness of support….how much worse difficulty in breathing will feel if there is no hope of treatment..” (White, 2006, p.26) .
My Research How do older men view spirituality and do they see this interacting with their health and well-being? 6 one-on-one General Literature Systematic Review semi-structured Review interviews
Methodology Qualitative, phenomenological research • Constructivist position: describes and interprets patterns of • meaning in their natural contexts. Design and method centred upon individual interviews, with • narrative providing the framework for data collection Employs a general inductive approach (Thomas, 2006), for data • analysis The importance of considering my role as the researcher •
Interviews • WHO : Older men, aged over 65 years. Living in independent living of an aged care facility (Selwyn Foundation). • WHERE: Two large aged care residential villages in Auckland • RECRUITMENT: Purposive sampling, then random selection. Selwyn Foundation staff made first contact. • HOW: in the men’s homes or in a meeting room at the village; approximately 1-1.5 hrs. long
v). Inadequate spirituality i). The Meaning of Spirituality -anything missing from spiritual life -definition -what has been lost spiritually -spiritual experiences -could anything be improved in life -interpretations of spirituality spiritually ii). The Meaning and Significance of vi). Spiritual Challenges Spirituality -what challenges your spirituality? -within their family - have there been any particular -as an individual experiences, relationships or times in -in relationships life that your spiritual life was -in everyday life challenged? -significant moments vii). Spirituality and Religion iii). The Effect of Spirituality -what do you regard as the -on health and well-being? relationship between spirituality and religion? -is there a difference between the iv). Views on Spirituality two for you? -in what instances would you feel -have these views changed or changing spiritual but not religious, or vice -influencing factors on these views versa? -reasons for change
Results: preliminary findings • Large variation in defining • All considered spirituality to spirituality between men play a vital role in their health and saw it as having • ‘spirituality’ being a new a positive effect age concept that wasn’t about in ‘their day’ • Spirituality and religion were often considered as • Spirituality became more the same concept. Mutually important once retired exclusive. • While, some men didn’t • Occupation, and connection agree with the Church, went with the environment to services anyway for played a role in defining personal reflection (or spirituality because their wife made them)
Strengths and Limitations • Strengths: -systematic review had not been conducted before. -first study on healthy, older men -NZ’s growing interest in the topic • Limitations: -researcher bias -small sample size -setting -generalisability of results
Where to next? • Currently conducting data analysis • Aim to publish results • A new website: spirituality in healthcare NZ
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