Abstract:

Appalachia leads the country in mortality related to chronic comorbidities, such as heart disease, cancer, depression, and suicide. Appalachian older adults experience disproportionate risk for poor health outcomes. Spirituality is integral to appalachian culture, and many older adults use spiritual engagement (SE) to cope with health challenges. Despite these connections, there is limited evidence about SE and well-being in this population. Therefore, the current systematic review addresses the literature gap of how SE influences health of appalachian older adults. Using thematic synthesis, we analyzed 11 qualitative and three mixed methods studies. Major findings indicate that SE positively impacts holistic health through adaptive coping, guided partnership with God, decreased loneliness, and enhanced sense of purpose. Future studies could examine SE practices among diverse populations, SE virtual experiences, and SE nursing assessments. Understanding how SE influences health of appalachian older adults for this vulnerable population.