The Relationship Between Believing in Resurrection and Religious Practice Among Elderly Population of Golestan Province

Introduction: With reaching old age, despite the decrease in physical and cognitive functions, religious beliefs and spiritual needs increase. Believing in God and religious practice bring peace and meaning to life in the elderly. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between believing in resurrection and religious practice in the elderly population of Golestan province. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on ۲۱۸ elderly people in Golestan province who were selected by non-random sampling method. The data collection tool was the Questionnaire of Believing in Resurrection and Religious Practice, which was completed by self-report method. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean standard deviation, tables) and inferential statistics (U Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis). Results: The score of believing in resurrection was ۷۰.۶۲ + ۸.۴۱ and the score of religious practice was ۷۲.۹ + ۱۰.۶۷ in the elderly samples. Spearman correlation coefficient test did not show a significant relationship between believing in resurrection and religious practice (P = ۰.۱, r = ۰.۱۱). But, Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between believing in resurrection and level of education (P = ۰.۰۰۷), and also between religious practice and level of education (P = ۰.۰۳). Conclusion: Believing in resurrection and divine justice and religious practice lead to a better understanding of the world and adaptation to the crisis and problems of old age. Therefore, health care providers, by discovering and understanding spiritual needs and strengthening religious beliefs, can improve the quality of life and promote mental health of the elderly.