Abstract
This mixed-method study describes reasons that older people chose to complete the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain and their assessment of how they were changed by the experience. The study is framed in Maslow’s (1988) self-actualization and Tornstam’s (2005) concept of gerotranscendence. We analyzed a subset of 121 participants age 65 and over who completed an online survey. Motivation included five themes: gratitude and transitions, cultural or historical curiosity. relationships, challenge and adventure, and spirituality. Transformations since their return involved greater strength, self-understanding, peace, desire to live lightly and to integrate their experience. Older individuals who walked the Camino have done so for a variety of reasons. Spiritual reasons may be more difficult to disclose. Half responded in the open-ended question, but a later spirituality question added many more respondents. Older people envision many forms of benefit to walking the pilgrimage and find growth in the experience.
Highlights
Michael Thomas considers the complex role of spirituality and sexuality for older LGB couples who may choose to remain in or leave their religious faith as they integrate expanding views
St. louis, Missouri, United States. This mixed-method study describes reasons that older people chose to complete the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain and their assessment of how they were changed by the experience
There is a rich literature from The United States looking at the importance of religion and spirituality in the lives of older adults where it is positively linked with wellbeing
Summary
There is a rich literature from The United States looking at the importance of religion and spirituality in the lives of older adults where it is positively linked with wellbeing. These papers address diverse perspectives on spirituality, religion, and well-being using samples primarily from the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada. The first paper by Christina Victor sets context by comparing the role of religion, and spirituality in well-being across three separate older adult data sets, touching on loneliness and dementia.
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