Book Description:
According to the US Census Bureau, about 40 million Americans will be age 65 or older in 2010. By the year 2040, the population of older adults in the United States (US) will double to about 80 million, with the greatest rate of increase in those aged 85 years and older. This population-aging trend is likely to parallel the increase in the incidence of disability and chronic conditions and to bring about challenges to late life well-being. Despite advances and popularity of science and technology over the past century, national surveys have consistently recorded high rates of religious or spiritual involvement in the US, especially among older persons and disadvantaged populations. In the past decade, scientific investigation in the protective effects of faith on physical and mental health has surged. Yet, how faith factors precisely influence health-related functions and well-being in late life remains under-investigated. Clearly, more comprehensive research evidence is needed to meet aging Americans’ spiritual needs. The chapters in this book explore common topics during the later part of life, including disability, declining functioning, nursing home residency, death-and-dying, terminal illness, heart failure, major medical operation, vision impairment, and exercise and fitness. In our interdisciplinary investigations, contributors include gerontologists from various disciplines and professions (i.e., psychology, sociology, social work, theology, public health, and medicine). All these empirical studies are based on social science theories. To meet the needs of a broad array of various audiences, they also offer some evidence-based implications for practices.

Table of Contents:
Preface
(Harold G. Koenig)

Introduction : Scientific Investigation of the Multifaceted Faith Effects in Aging: A Theory-based Interdisciplinary Inquiry.
(Amy L. Ai, University of Pittsburgh, PA; Monika Ardelt, University of Florida)

Chapter 1 – Effects of Religiousness on Positive and Negative Social Behavior among Nursing Home Residents: A Race Influence pp. 1-24
(Kenneth J. Branco, Stonehill College, Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research, Providence, RI)

Chapter 2 – The Buffering Role of Religiousness and Spiritual Seeking on Sense of Control among Older Adults in Poor Physical Health: A Gender Influence pp. 25-40
(Paul Wink, Wellesley College, MA; Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire and Adrienne Prettyman, Wellesley College. MA)

Chapter 3 – Dimensions of Religion and Spirituality in Psychological Adjustment in Older Adults Living with Congestive Heart Failure pp. 41-58
(Crystal L. Park; Mohamad Brooks and Jessica Sussman, University of Connecticut, CT)

Chapter 4 – The temporal nature of direct faith effects on global functioning and vitality in patients undergoing open-heart surgery pp. 59-84
(Amy L. Ai and Christopher Peterson, University of Michigan)

Chapter 5 – Differential Roles of Religious Orientation on Subjective Well-Being and Death Attitudes in Old Age: Mediation of Spiritual Activities and Purpose pp. 85-112
(Monika Ardelt, University of Florida, FL and Cynthia S. Koenig, Saint Mary’s College of Maryland)

Chapter 6 – Counteracting pathways of prayer coping to the short-term postoperative adjustment in middle-aged and older cardiac patients pp. 113-142
(Amy L. Ai; Terence N Tice, University of Michigan Emeritus Professor of Philosophy; Christopher Peterson; Steven F. Bolling, University of Michigan Health System Cardiac Center)

Chapter 7 – Untangling the Relationships between Religiousness, Social Networks, and the Variety and Quality of Social Support among Middle-aged and Older Adults with Visual Impairment pp. 142-164
(Mark Brennan, AIDS Community Research Initiative of America, NY and
Eun-Kyoung Othelia Lee, School of Social Work, Boston University)

Chapter 8 – Faith and Fitness: Religious Beliefs, Congregational Support, and Exercise in a Nationwide Sample of Presbyterians pp. 165-184
(Christopher G. Ellison and John P. Marcum, University of Texas at Austin; Neal M. Krause, School of Public Health, University of Michigan; Terrence D. Hill, University of Miami and John P. Marcum
The General Assembly Council of Presbyterian, Church USA)

Index