Rooted in the Existential True Self Case Report about Potential of Religious Faith for Geriatric Psychological Counselling

Abstract

For older people, religious faith is a significant part of their identity. There is a lack of research that reveals the faith of practicing Roman Catholics as a multi-component phenomenon that can develop, through an internal perspective in personal and social context. Aim: to explore how religious faith is experienced in the life of an older practicing Roman Catholic. Methods: A qualitative approach was selected for this case study. Data was gathered through faith development interviews, and it was analysed using these methods: thematic narrative analysis, structural and content analysis. The faith of an older practicing Roman Catholic (woman, 84 years old) is analysed. Results: The case study revealed that religious faith is meaningful to the practicing older Roman Catholic woman as a multi-component faith construct, consisting of internal and external aspects, the essential of which is the internal relationship with God, which forms an integral spiritual, moral and social identity of a person; through the course of life it becomes a continuously nurtured value at each stage of life; through faith development as a conscious, social and integrated faith in her life; through an internal psychosocial perspective providing internal psychological resources that help her overcome difficulties, maintain well-being in her life and give the meaning to her life. Conclusion: The potential of religious faith in counselling the older practicing Roman Catholic lies in the awareness of personal feelings, beliefs, behaviours, the image of God, self-worth, early experiences, and the relationships related to religious faith in the context of a person’s life.