From a secondary data analysis on a sample (N=504) of retirees age 55-92 from Protestant churches in upstate SC, a description of their beliefs, behaviors, physical and emotional well being will be presented. Weekly church attendance was reported by 86% of the sample as well as 86% reported no sick days in bed in the past year. Good to excellent perception of health was reported by 77% of the sample. The Antonosky Sense of Coherence (ASOC) measures the disposition of the belief system. Family relationships and attitudes are described from measures of life satisfaction, perception of health, a health promoting behavior inventory, activities index, and satisfaction with retirement measure. Through the lens of a non-clinical, church going population data are presented to describe the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors they practice. The analysis looks at the group as a whole and further breaks down the data into age groups for comparison/contrast: 55-64; 65-74; 75-84; 85 & up. The data support that one's belief system is positively related to physical and emotional well being. While belief system was positively related to well being, peaceful family relationships explained more variance.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to describe attitudes and behaviors of a population of 504 non-clinical retirees. 2. Participants will be able to relate attitudes and behaviors of study population to their individual and family belief system. 3. Participants will be able to stage attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs into four decades of retirement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.