Tolerance in Facing Life Challenges: The Outcome of Spiritual Self-Care in Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Older adults often experience a wide range of physical, emotional, and social challenges as they age, requiring them to draw on internal strengths and coping resources. Among these resources, spiritual self-care has been recognized as an important pathway to achieving inner peace, acceptance, and emotional balance during difficult life experiences. Through spiritual self-care, older adults may find meaning in their struggles and develop a greater capacity to tolerate and adapt to life’s challenges. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the concept of spiritual self-care and to elucidate how it contributes to older adults’ tolerance and adaptation in the face of life challenges. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2024 using a conventional content analysis approach. Seventeen older adults were recruited via purposive sampling. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and analyzed concurrently with data collection using the conventional content analysis method described by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Analysis of participants’ experiences identified five main themes describing how older adults cope with life challenges: “Acceptance and Meaning-Making of Suffering,” “Spiritual Self-Care and Emotional Regulation,” “Distancing from Sources of Tension,” “Positive Attitude and Gratitude,” and “Perceived Divine Support.” The findings indicated that older adults relied on a combination of spiritual, emotional, and social resources to navigate difficult experiences. Spiritual self-care emerged as a fundamental aspect of this process, helping participants maintain emotional stability, find meaning in suffering, and sustain a sense of hope and inner strength. Conclusions: The findings indicate that spiritual self-care can help older adults face life difficulties by facilitating acceptance, personal growth, and a stronger spiritual connection with God. These experiences may enable older adults to approach challenges with greater peace, resilience, and emotional balance. Incorporating spiritual dimensions into care planning for older adults may provide a more comprehensive approach to promoting their psychological well-being.