Spirituality, treatment, and depression among the elderl

The purpose of this study was to explore spirituality and treatment among older adults with depression. A nonprobability convenience sample of 26 elderly adults was administered six instruments: demographics, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, spiritually-based coping mechanisms, helping discipline preference, and treatment which incorporates elements of spirituality.;The findings were that the more an elderly person with depression engaged in spiritually-based coping mechanisms, the more likely that person would choose clergy for assistance during periods of difficulty. No statistical significance was found in relation to spiritual well-being and receptiveness to treatment which incorporates spiritual aspects.;Implications suggest that depressed older adults are more apt to seek assistance from clergy instead of social workers, calling for the re-examination of how the social work profession is conceptualized among this population.