Exploring the Relationship Between Religion, Spirituality, Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Aging

Chair(s)

• RO

  Roger O'Sullivan, PhD, MFPH, FGSA,

  Director of Ageing
  Ageing
  Institute of Public Health in Ireland
  Belfast, Dublin, Ireland

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Katherine Britt, PhD, MSN, RN (she/her/hers)

  Assistant Professor
  School of Nursing
  University of Iowa
  Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• GL

  Gerard Leavey, PhD, (he/him/his)

  Professor & Director of the Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing
  The Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing
  Ulster University
  Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
• CV

  Christina Victor, PhD (she/her/hers)

  Professor of Gerontology and Public Health
  Department of Health Sciences
  Brunel University London
  London, England, United Kingdom
• HT

  Harry Taylor, PhD, MSW, MPH (he/him/his)

  Assistant Professor
  Faculty of Social Work
  University of Toronto
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 

  Marsha Hampton, n/a

  Research Laboratory Manager
  Psychology
  Clemson University
  Seneca, South Carolina, United States

The importance of social engagement, connections, and participation as we age and the negative impact of loneliness and social isolation on health are well recognized. Religion and/or spirituality has social, emotional, and existential dimensions and are linked to concepts of belonging, meaning, and purpose. As part of the drive to build meaningful social and emotional connections in contemporary society, religion and/or spirituality are proposed as potential solutions to loneliness/social isolation. The theoretical mechanism proposed is that affiliation, attendance, practice, or belief can offer support, social capital, meaning and a sense of belonging. This interdisciplinary symposium uses data from both the US and Europe to explore the relationship between religion, spirituality, loneliness, and social isolation. Leavey using longitudinal data from Ireland explores depression and anxiety and their relationship with loneliness, social networks, religious practice, and long-term illness. Victor & Seetal, also using longitudinal data set out the relationship between measures of religious affiliation, attendance, and practice with loneliness for older adults in England. Taylor uses the HRS to examine the association between religious service attendance and spirituality on social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the United States. Finally, Hampton Jarmon, using data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span study, explores the relationship between spirituality (connectedness, prayer fulfilment, and universality) and cognition within Black and White adult participants. Lubben, as discussant, will reflect on the key themes and the symposium’s overarching focus - can religion and/or spirituality provide protection from loneliness and social isolation?

This is a collaborative symposium between the Loneliness and Social Isolation and Religion, Spirituality and Aging Interest Groups.

Presentations:

• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST

  Religion and Loneliness: Older People in Ireland
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Gerard F. Leavey, PhD, (he/him/his) – Ulster University
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST

  Exploring the Relationship Between Loneliness, Religion, and Spirituality for Older Adults in England
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Christina R. Victor, PhD (she/her/hers) – Brunel University London
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST

  The Relationships Between Religious Service Attendance, Spirituality, Loneliness, and Social isolation
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Harry Taylor, PhD, MSW, MPH (he/him/his) – University of Toronto
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST

  The Relationship Between Spirituality and Cognition Within Black and White Adult in the HANDLSleep Study
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Marsha Hampton, n/a – Clemson University