Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50835
Title: The role of religiosity in gerotranscendence : a Singaporean case study
Authors: Chia, Chin Nam
Keywords: Population aging -- Singapore
Gerontology -- Singapore -- Case studies
Aging -- Religious aspects
Aging -- Psychological aspects
Issue Date: 2019
Citation: Chia, C. N. (2019). The role of religiosity in gerotranscendence : a Singaporean case study (Master’s dissertation).
Abstract: Singapore is one of the fastest ageing countries in Asia. To mitigate the adverse impact of a rapidly ageing population and specifically address the biopsychosocial needs of its senior citizens, her government has been formulating eldercare policies and turning them into concrete initiatives over the last two decades. Furthermore, the government has also been promoting religiosity and collaborating with organisations from the various religious groups. However, religiosity is a domain yet to be fully harnessed as a resource to alleviate the demographic challenges caused by a rapidly ageing population. This gap is evident in the literature search, which finds few journals about Singapore pertaining to religiosity and ageing. The theory of gerotranscendence is a development theory of positive ageing, which postulates that older persons break through old boundaries and transcend development crises when they face the reality of later life with a new paradigm. Religiosity and gerotranscendence draw a parallel role in the lives of older persons in that both promote an active effort for the benefits of older persons to ensure they find intrinsic satisfaction and support in deeper emotional relationships as they age. This research aimed to explore the role of religiosity in the development of gerotranscendence in older members of the Methodist Church in Singapore. It adopted a qualitative methodology to understand the research participants’ viewpoints and experiences in-depth and to capture the meaning of these experiences. The thematic analysis identified several forms of religiosity, namely: extrinsic, intrinsic, devout, overzealous and superficial. The extrinsic, intrinsic and devout forms generally promote gerotranscendence, whereas the overzealous and superficial forms hinder it. Therefore, whether or not gerotranscendence is present in the older members of the church depends on the forms of religiosity they practice.
Description: M.GER.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50835
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacSoW - 2019
Dissertations - FacSoWGer - 2019

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