FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOSITY IN COMMUNITY ELDERLY: INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Aging brings with it some limitations and losses that tend to become more pronounced with advancing age. In this process, some psychological, physical, behavioral and social changes can reduce the quality of life of the elderly, who seek spirituality and religiosity as allies to face the challenges in this stage of life. This study aimed to analyze the health aspects associated with spirituality and religiosity in community-dwelling elderly.Métodos: This is an integrative review that synthesized the scientific production with the guiding question: What production of scientific knowledge about aspects related to health are associated with better levels of spirituality and religiosity in community-dwelling elderly in Brazil? Articles were selected using the descriptors in Portuguese and English: espiritualidade (spirituality), idoso (aged), qualidade de vida (quality of life) that met the following inclusion criteria: published in full, available electronically, in Portuguese, English and/or Spanish, published between 2015 and 2020, in the SciELO, LILACS, PubMed and Portal de Periódico Capes databases. Results: A total of 130 articles were identified, and seven that presented evidence on the influence of spirituality and religiosity on the quality of life of community-dwelling elderly were selected. After reading the selected articles, two categories of analysis emerged: I – The experience of spirituality/religiosity in situations of chronic diseases, and II – The relationship between spirituality/religiosity and the well-being/quality of life of the elderly. Most of the studies showed positive effects of spirituality and religiosity on health outcomes, with better physical health conditions, better quality of life, longer survival, lower rates of depression and lower prevalence of chronic diseases. Some studies have shown that spirituality improves the ability to withstand limitations and stress in the face of changes that occur during aging. Conclusion:gaps in knowledge were evidenced by the predominance of descriptive studies with a level of evidence considered weak. The results indicate a positive influence of spirituality and religiosity on the quality of life of the elderly. It is emphasized the importance of these themes for health practices and the need to value them and include them in professional training in the health area.