We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the centre hole
that makes the wagon move.
We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.
We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it liveable
We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.
(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?
General Literature
Review
Systematic Review
6 one-on-one
semi-structured
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
i). The Meaning of Spirituality
-definition
-spiritual experiences
-interpretations of spirituality
ii). The Meaning and Significance of
Spirituality
-within their family
-as an individual
-in relationships
-in everyday life
-significant moments
iii). The Effect of Spirituality
-on health and well-being?
iv). Views on Spirituality
-have these views changed or changing
-influencing factors on these views
-reasons for change
v). Inadequate spirituality
-anything missing from spiritual life
-what has been lost spiritually
-could anything be improved in life
spiritually
vi). Spiritual Challenges
-what challenges your spirituality?
- have there been any particular
experiences, relationships or times in
life that your spiritual life was
challenged?
vii). Spirituality and Religion
-what do you regard as the
relationship between spirituality and
religion?
-is there a difference between the
two for you?
-in what instances would you feel
spiritual but not religious, or vice
versa?
Results: preliminary findings
• Large variation in defining
spirituality between men
• ‘spirituality’ being a new
age concept that wasn’t
about in ‘their day’
• Spirituality became more
important once retired
• While, some men didn’t
agree with the Church, went
to services anyway for
personal reflection (or
because their wife made
them)
• All considered spirituality to
play a vital role in their
health and saw it as having
a positive effect
• Spirituality and religion
were often considered as
the same concept. Mutually
exclusive.
• Occupation, and connection
with the environment
played a role in defining
spirituality
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