Elders Caring for Elders: The Role of Religious Involvement and Spiritual Rewards on Caregiver Stress, Resources, and Health

Abstract

The current study investigates the relationships between three indicators of religious involvement and three aspects of spiritual caregiving awards and multiple measures of caregiver stress, internal and external resources, and physical and mental health among older (60+) African American caregivers of elders. Findings show that both factors are associated with the three caregiving areas, although spiritual rewards emerged as having more linkages than religious involvement. Further analysis showed significant relationships between the two independent variables of religious involvement and spiritual rewards, suggesting possible interactive effects on the caregiving experience. Implications for social work practice and research are highlighted.

Keywords:

• religious involvement
• spiritual rewards
• older caregivers
• African Americans

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a grant from Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health and the John Templeton Foundation. An earlier version of this article was presented at the 7th North American Spirituality and Social Work Conference on June 23, 2012 at Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.