Spiritual Resiliency in Older Women : Models of Strength for Challenges through the Life Span

Spiritual Resiliency In Older Women records the narratives of spiritually resilient older German and American women. The authors suggest how persons of all ages can gain maturity and spiritual coping by participating in communities based on faith, which acknowledge the emotion of spiritual experiences and integrate faith and close human relationships.

Persons of all ages struggle to survive losses and rewrite their life stories. Self-help books abound, yet seldom do we stop to consider living resources, the wise old persons who are among us. Gerontologists Janet L. Ramsey and Rosemary Blieszner have recorded narratives of spiritually resilient German and American women and offer here a rare combination of listening, personal story telling, and professional reflection. Avoiding simplistic answers and acknowledging the ambiguity of human experience, the authors give voice to a remarkably unheard group: strong old women. In this unique book you will find unforgettable stories of courage and faith but also provocative suggestions on how to enrich your clinical and academic work through an increased emphasis on spiritual coping. The authors also emphasize the importance of acknowledging emotions in spiritual experiences, and integrating faith and close human relationships.