The Gerontologist
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Crowther, M. R.
Right arrow Articles by Koenig, H. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Crowther, M. R.
Right arrow Articles by Koenig, H. G.
The Gerontologist 42:613-620 (2002)
© 2002 The Gerontological Society of America

Rowe and Kahn's Model of Successful Aging Revisited

Positive Spirituality—The Forgotten Factor

Martha R. Crowther, PhD, MPHa, Michael W. Parker, DSWb, W. A. Achenbaum, PhDc, Walter L. Larimore, MDd and Harold G. Koenig, MDe

a Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
b Department of Social Work, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
c College of Humanities, Fine Arts and Communication, The University of Houston, TX
d Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO
e Duke University Medical Center, GRECC, VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Correspondence: Martha R. Crowther, PhD, MPH, The University of Alabama, Department of Psychology, Box 870348, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0348. E-mail: crowther{at}bama.ua.edu.

Decision Editor: Laurence G. Branch, PhD

Purpose: We explain a new concept, positive spirituality, and offer evidence that links positive spirituality with health; describe effective partnerships between health professionals and religious communities; and summarize the information as a basis for strengthening the existing successful aging model proposed by Rowe and Kahn. Design and Methods: A missing component to Rowe and Kahn's three-factor model of successful aging is identified, and we propose strengthening the model with a fourth factor, positive spirituality. Results: We developed an enhanced model of successful aging based on Rowe and Kahn's theoretical framework. Evidence presented suggests that the addition of spirituality to interventions focused on health promotion has been received positively by older adults. Implications: Leaders in gerontology often fail to incorporate the growing body of scientific evidence regarding health, aging, and spirituality into their conceptual models to promote successful aging. The proposed enhancement of Rowe and Kahn's model will help health professionals, religious organizations, and governmental agencies work collaboratively to promote wellness among older adults.

Key Words: Religion • Faith-based interventions • Churches • Older adults






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Copyright © 2002 by The Gerontological Society of America.