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01-12-2018 | Original Paper

Examining the Relationship Between Religious and Spiritual Motivation and Worry About Alzheimer’s Disease in Later Life

Authors: Jennifer R. Roberts, Molly Maxfield

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

As awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and diagnosis rates rise, concern about developing such conditions may also increase, referred to here as dementia worry (DW). Few studies have examined DW and potential protective factors. Religiosity provides diverse psychological benefits and may be associated with lower DW; however, intrinsic/extrinsic motivations were expected to differentially relate to DW. Among 83 older adults (M = 69.48 years), both greater intrinsic and extrinsic-social religious motivation were associated with lower DW. Results suggest internalizing one’s religious beliefs and building a social network within a religious community may provide a psychological buffer against DW.

This study was conducted as part of a larger investigation of dementia worry. The results discussed in this paper represent only a portion of the data collected.

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Title: Examining the Relationship Between Religious and Spiritual Motivation and Worry About Alzheimer’s Disease in Later Life
Authors: Jennifer R. Roberts
Molly Maxfield
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0635-x

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