Religion and Subjective Well-being Among the Female Elderly People: A Focused Ethnography

Abstract

Background: Each religion has its own unique history, as well as specific life way for its followers based on beliefs, traditions, rules, and values. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of elderly people to determine the relationship between religiosity and subjective well-being. Methods: This is a qualitative study that employed a method known as ethnographic research. Data were collected using observations, field notes, and in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select ten knowledgeable female elderly people within a residential home in the Kerman province in Iran. Collected data were analyzed through principles of thematic analysis. Results: Two themes were identified: A, embedded beliefs: The religious world of key participants, religious activities, and religious faith; B, religiousness and personal beliefs: Spiritual well-being and religious concerns. All older adults believed that praying can affect their feelings and make their hearts calm and peaceful, and enable them to cope with their problems in a peaceful way. Conclusions: Participants have asserted the significance of religious faith and spiritual well-being in everyday life. Having stronger religiosity gives them a meaning of life and satisfies them with all components of life, a feeling like one has finished something in one's life, accomplished happiness, and peace.