Spiritual Well-Being Among Older African Americans in a Midwestern City

Abstract

More than many other cities in America, older African Americans in Milwaukee, WI contend with negative environmental, socio-economic and health challenges in one of the most hyper-segregated cities in America. This research examines the role of spirituality and religion in their lives and the ways that spirituality and religious affiliation contribute to their quality of life. Over 500 elderly respondents aged 55–105 completed a questionnaire. The analysis found: (a) strong identification with religious institutions and high levels of attendance and participation in religious activities, (b) a substantial number felt support from fellow church members, and (c) strong reliance on spirituality and their sense of connection to God as sources of strength in coping with personal challenges. This study adds to the findings of other research done which stressed the importance of spirituality, religious practice and congregational assistance in serving critical survival functions for older African Americans. This is the first such research done, however, reporting on Milwaukee’s African American older adults. This study used mixed methods of research, conducting both a descriptive statistical analysis of African American elderly in Milwaukee County to develop a profile while simultaneously gathering, where possible, qualitative data as well, in the form of narratives, written comments and field notes of first hand observations on this growing population.

Appendices

Appendix A

Spirituality Questionnaire

I. The following questions are about your religious and spiritual beliefs

	Very	Somewhat	Not very	Not at all
A. How religious are you?	1	2	3	4
B. How spiritual are you?	1	2	3	4
C. How important is religion in your life?	1	2	3	4
D. How Important is spirituality in your life?	1	2	3	4
E. How important is it for you—or would it be if you had children now—to send your children for religious or spiritual instruction?	1	2	3	4
F. How closely do you identify with being a member of your religious group?	1	2	3	4
G. How much do you prefer to be with other people who are the same religion as you?	1	2	3	4
H. How important so you think it is for people to marry other people who are the same religion?	1	2	3	4
I. How important is it for you to celebrate or practice on religious holidays with your family, friends, or members of your religious community?	1	2	3	4

II. Within your religious or spiritual tradition, how often do you

	Once a day or more	A few times a week	Once a week	1–3 times per month	Less than once per month	Never
A. Pray in private?	1	2	3	4	5	6
B. Meditate?	1	2	3	4	5	6
C. Read the bible or Koran?	1	2	3	4	5	6
D. Attend religious services?	1	2	3	4	5	6
E. Attend/participate church/temple activities? (e.g. dinners, organizations)	1	2	3	4	5	6
F. Read other religious literature?	1	2	3	4	5	6

Which of the following do you believe: that it is good to explore many different religious or spiritual teachings, or that one should stick to a particular faith?

• Explore different teachings

• Stick to One faith

• Neither

III. The next question is about your religious community

	A great deal	Some	A little	None
A. If you were ill, how much would people in your congregation help you out?	1	2	3	4
B. If you had a problem or were faced with a difficult situation, how much comfort would people in your congregation be willing to give you?	1	2	3	4
C. How often do people in your congregation or spiritual community make too many demands on you?	1	2	3	4
D. How often do people in your congregation or spiritual community criticize you and the things you do?	1	2	3	4

Think about how you try to understand and deal with major problems in your life. Please answer the following questions according to the way you cope.

IV. Answer how often for each of these items

	Often	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
A. When you have problems or difficulties in your family, work or personal life, how often do you seek comfort through religious or spiritual means such as praying, meditating, attending religious or spiritual advisor?	1	2	3	4
B. When you have decisions to make in your daily life, how often do you ask yourself what your religious or spiritual beliefs suggests you do?	1	2	3	4

V. Answer how much for each of these items

	A great deal	Some	A little	None
C. I try to make sense of the situation and decide what to do without relying on God.	1	2	3	4
D. I wonder whether God has abandoned me.	1	2	3	4
E. I feel God is punishing me for my sins or lack of spirituality.	1	2	3	4
F. I look to God for strength, support and guidance.	1	2	3	4
G. I work together with God as partners.	1	2	3	4
H. I think about how my life is part of a larger spiritual force.	1	2	3	4

VI. On a daily basis, how often do you experience the following?

	Often	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
A. A feeling of deep inner peace or harmony.	1	2	3	4
B. A feeling of being deeply moved by the beauty of life.	1	2	3	4
C. A feeling of strong connection to all of life.	1	2	3	4
D. A sense of deep appreciation.	1	2	3	4
E. A profound sense of caring for others.	1	2	3	4

VII. Answer how much for each of these items

	Strongly agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly disagree
A. More engaged in the present moment.	1	2	3	4
B. More Sensitive to the feelings of others.	1	2	3	4
C. More receptive to new ideas.	1	2	3	4
D. A better listener.	1	2	3	4
E. A more patient person.	1	2	3	4
F. More aware of small changes in my environment	1	2	3	4
G. More tolerant of differences.	1	2	3	4
H. More aware of different ways to solve problems.	1	2	3	4
I. More likely to perceive things in new ways.	1	2	3	4

Appendix B

Milwaukee Map I.