Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108971

Idethia Shevon Harvey, MPH and Myrna Silverman, PhD. Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 130 Desoto Street, 208 Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, 412-624-6174, idethiaharvey@hotmail.com

Very few studies have focused on the role of spiritual beliefs and self-management of chronic illness among older adults. This qualitative study examines the role of spirituality in the self-management of chronic illness among older adults. To ascertain this knowledge, a semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted with a sample of 88 community-dwelling older African and Caucasian American adults in Pittsburgh, PA. Participants were asked to describe their spiritual-health association in their own terms, and how their beliefs and practices influence the management of their chronic illness. Emerging themes found in this study were, (1) God as the healer, (2) the usage of prayer to alleviate mental and physical discomfort, (3) the use of spirituality as a coping mechanism, and (4) combining traditional and spiritual methods. An example of the qualitative data is as follows: “I pray a whole lot…I ask for God's help…I try to keep my blood pressure under control with medication…I think all that plays into that. I think when you pray about something, you can only take it to God one time. I take it and I leave it in his hands…I either go to the doctor or I pray about it…I certainly take my medication…I ask God to give me the strength to do that. And all that plays into it like a round circle.” This illustrates the need for further exploration in faith-based intervention among the aged.

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