宗教信仰對華族退休老人生活適應影響之研究

本研究以新加坡華族退休老人為例，主要探討宗教信仰對退休老人生活適應之影響，本研究採質性研究，邀請五位具有宗教信仰的退休老人為研究參與對象，以深度訪談的方式進行資料蒐集，目的在了解宗教信仰對退休老人在生理健康、心理調適與社會生活方面的影響為何，研究結果顯示，退休老人因宗教信仰對生理健康的影響為：日常生活的作息規律化；積極奉獻促進身體的活動量；改變飲食的習慣與加強對病痛的承受力。心理調適的影響方面有：以宗教淨化心靈，轉化負面情緒，以信仰強化意志，激發潛能與精神力量，緩和生理的病苦，滿足安全需求，勇於挑戰生活逆境與坦然面對死亡的恐懼。在社會生活影響方面：宗教信仰與宗教團體提供退休老人一個人際互動的平臺，擴大其生活空間，促進交流與參與感，建立友誼，互相扶持，提供志愿服務的管道，發展替代性角色，讓退休老人重新找到新的角色與生活重心，對退休後角色的轉換與喪失所帶來的不安與圧力，有正面的穩定作用，幫助其退休後的社會生活之適應。宗教信仰也給退休老人創造學習的空間，讓他們有機會學習宗敎的課裎，並珍惜有限的時間，努力不懈的充實自己，以提高對該宗教教義的理解，從而豐富了退休的生活與生命的意義。最後，根據上述的研究結果，提出建議以作為退休老人、助人機構、宗教團體，以及未來研究的參考。

關鍵字

退休老人；宗教信仰；生活適應

並列摘要

This study focuses on the impact of religion has on the life adaptability of retired elderly. The context of this research was based on retired elderly of the ethnic Chinese group in Singapore. Five elderly subjects with religious faith were invited to participate in this study, conducted through in-depth interviews and analyzed by application of qualitative research method. The main purpose of the study is to investigate and analyze the influences that religion has on the physical health, psychological adaptation and social life of senior citizens. Findings revealed the following positive attributes in physical health: a disciplined work and rest schedule in the daily life of the elderly; an increase in the physical activity level as a result of dedication and active participation; a change in dietary habits; and a strong resilience to fight against sickness and suffering. Relating to psychological adaptation, research had demonstrated that religion plays an integral role in purifying one’s soul and transforming negative emotions to cultivate optimism and to derive a sense of security. Another aspect of psychological adaptation displayed in elderly is that religion alters their outlook on life, as they embrace the spirit of helping others, and show magnanimity and tolerance towards other people. Religious faith also toughens one’s will and mental power, provides motivation to realize one’s potential and boosts one’s spiritual strength to face up to adversities in life and the psychological drain during times of suffering and sicknesses. In face of death, they will be able to accept it more calmly and cope with less fear. What the aged hope to achieve is to seek inner solace and a final resting place they feel belonged to when the ultimate end beckons. Findings illustrated that religious faith and religious organizations play a crucial part in the social life of the elderly, providing them with an interaction platform to expand their social circle, encourage exchange of ideas and participation, and build friendships for mutual support. Religion also provides retired senior citizens a channel to be actively involved as volunteers, allowing them to take on alternative roles, and re-discover a new focus and meaning in life. Indeed, volunteering brings positive outcomes in alleviating the feeling of insecurity and immense stress experienced by aged retirees for the loss of career during post-retirement. Having a religious faith in fact creates learning opportunities for the elderly – they attend courses to reinforce their appreciation for their religion – thereby enriching their retirement life and attaching themselves with purpose and meaning in life. In conclusion, it is hoped that the suggestions and concepts proposed in this study will benefit the retired elderly community, social organizations and religious groups, and also serve as a useful research resource for future planning.