Idethia Shevon Harvey1, Lawanda Cook. 1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 127 S Huff Hall, MC-588, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. shevon@illinois.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of spirituality in the self-management of chronic illness among older women with chronic conditions. METHODS: A sample of 41 African-American and non-Hispanic White women, of age 66 and older, participated in the process of self-care study. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and analysed for common themes using the Grounded Theory method. RESULTS: Audiotaped and transcribed interviews identified four categories that emerged to suggest the influence of spirituality in behavioural change and disease management: (1) God's involvement in illness management; (2) prayer as a mediator; (3) spirituality as a coping mechanism; and (4) the combination of conventional and spiritual practices. DISCUSSION: Older women with various chronic illnesses defined 'spirituality' in a broad, holistic way, and the findings suggest that spirituality played a part in documenting the self-management process. Knowledge of spirituality and the role it plays in illness management may assist public health gerontologists in designing effective and culturally appropriate self-management programmes.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of spirituality in the self-management of chronic illness among older women with chronic conditions. METHODS: A sample of 41 African-American and non-Hispanic White women, of age 66 and older, participated in the process of self-care study. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and analysed for common themes using the Grounded Theory method. RESULTS: Audiotaped and transcribed interviews identified four categories that emerged to suggest the influence of spirituality in behavioural change and disease management: (1) God's involvement in illness management; (2) prayer as a mediator; (3) spirituality as a coping mechanism; and (4) the combination of conventional and spiritual practices. DISCUSSION: Older women with various chronic illnesses defined 'spirituality' in a broad, holistic way, and the findings suggest that spirituality played a part in documenting the self-management process. Knowledge of spirituality and the role it plays in illness management may assist public health gerontologists in designing effective and culturally appropriate self-management programmes.
Authors: Karin Jors; Arndt Büssing; Niels Christian Hvidt; Klaus Baumann Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2015-02-26 Impact factor: 2.629