RELIGIOUSNESS IN OLD-AGE - RESEARCH TOPICS AND METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

During the past few years the number of psychological investigations concerning the religiosity of the elderly has increased. The paper summarizes empirical studies which deal with three main topics in gerontology (health, coping, search for meaning) and their relationship to religiosity (A). Further on, a few problems regarding the measurement of religiousness in old people are discussed (B). Finally, the conclusion proposes some tasks of future investigations (C).