Religion and Spirituality as Predictors of Well-Being Among Chinese American and Korean American Older Adults

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to understand the multidimensional aspects of religion, spirituality, and well-being among Asian American older adults with a primary focus on examining how much the effect of religion and spirituality can account for subjective well-being. Respondents were 145 older adults (76 Chinese and 69 Koreans). In an attempt to measure a broad range of religion and spirituality, the Multidimensional Measures of Religiousness and Spirituality (MMRS; NIA/Fetzer, 1999) were used. Utilization of religious coping skills was associated with greater life satisfaction. Greater practice of forgiveness contributed to improving life satisfaction and self-efficacy for older Korean and Chinese Americans. Religious support was associated with decreased depression and increased life satisfaction. In contrast, less private religious practice enhanced greater self-efficacy. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Asian Americans
• older adults
• spirituality
• religion
• depression
• social support