Belief and ageing: Spiritual pathways in later life

Description

Based on 40 years' interviewing experience, this book illustrates the variety of religious, spiritual and other beliefs held by older people. It provides models of research procedure, especially in the context of bereavement. Participants include not only British Christians, but also Muslims, Humanists and witnesses of the Soviet persecution of religion. The author argues that both welfare professionals and gerontologists need to pay far more consideration to belief as a constituent of well-being in later life. The book looks to the future and increasing diversity of choice in matters of belief among Britain and Europe's older citizens as a consequence of immigration and globalisation.

Peter G. Coleman is Professor of Psychogerontology at the University of Southampton, a joint appointment between social sciences and medicine. He has published widely on issues of development and mental health in later life, including the role of life review and spiritual belief.

"A bold and imaginative volume from the leading scholar in the field. The study provides rich and wide-ranging material on the role of religious and other beliefs in the lives of older people. An outstanding contribution." Chris Phillipson, Professor of Applied Social Studies and Social Gerontology, Keele University