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The Role of Spirituality in the Self-management of Chronic Illness among Older African and Whites

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Abstract

This study used data from in-depth interviews collected from 88 African American and White men and women aged 65 years and older who reside in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of spirituality in the self-management of chronic illness among this population. Thematic content analysis addressed two specific questions: (1) how do older adults use spirituality to help manage their chronic illness, and (2) are there any racial differences in the use of spirituality. Several core themes emerged from the linkage of spirituality and self-management: God: the healer, God: the enabler through doctors, faith in God, prayer as a mediator, spirituality as a coping mechanism, combining conventional medicine and spiritual practices, and empowering respondents to practice healthy eating habits. These results display racial differences in the use of spirituality in the self-management of chronic illness. African American elders were more likely than White elders to endorse a belief in divine intervention. White elders were more likely than African America elders to merge their spirituality in various self-management practices. Despite these differences, spirituality can play an integral part in a person’s health and well-being of chronically ill elders.

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Acknowledgement

The research reported in this paper was supported by the NIH grant R01-AG 18308. The authors wish to thank the “Self-Care” project interviewers, Elisa Neal-Smith, Diane Schorr, and Jean Nutini, they played a vital role in the collection of the data. Don Musa, his statistical expertise was essential in this paper. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the editorial comments of Diane Fischler.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 1206 S. Fourth Street, 211S Huff Hall, MC-588, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA

    Idethia S. Harvey

  2. Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Behavior and Community Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Myrna Silverman

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  1. Idethia S. Harvey
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  2. Myrna Silverman
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Correspondence to Idethia S. Harvey.

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Harvey, I.S., Silverman, M. The Role of Spirituality in the Self-management of Chronic Illness among Older African and Whites. J Cross Cult Gerontol 22, 205–220 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-007-9038-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-007-9038-2

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