Date of Conferral

5-3-2024

Date of Award

May 2024

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Patti Barrows

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the lived spiritual experience of aging adults (≥65), filling a gap in the literature relating to aging people’s spirituality in a variety of circumstances. The once-American youth-oriented society is growing older at an unprecedented rate as 76 million individuals of the baby-boomer generation (born 1946–1964) face retirement age. This demographic shift highlights a social problem of millions of aging baby boomers requiring a far-reaching change in the structure of society. This qualitative study aimed to gain insights into the lived experience of the spirituality of a sample of nine adults aged 65 and above by asking the research question of how older people describe their lived spirituality experience and its relevance to adapting to their aging journey. The theoretical framework of the present study is based on two theories, transformative learning and gerotranscendence, which relate to shifting perspectives as individuals cope with the challenge of reconciling new realities and perspectives of aging with old perceptions characteristic of young age. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and analysis strategies included phenomenological reduction and synthesis. The six major themes that emerged about spirituality across the interviews with older adults were (a) reframing self-identity, (b) reframing one’s habitat, (c) connecting with inner values, (d) finding meaning and purpose, (e) mindfulness and acceptance, and (f) transcending materialism. The implications of an increasingly longer lifespan invite a paradigm shift in how individuals and communities approach the later stages of life. Addressing this social problem will result in positive social change.

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