Faith, Social Connection, and Aging: A Narrative Review of the Impact of Religious and Spiritual Engagement on Social Well-being in Older Adults Across Global Contexts.

Résumé

Social well-being is a central determinant of health and quality of life in aging, yet older adults are increasingly at risk of isolation and loneliness. Religious and spiritual engagement (RSE) has been identified as an essential contributing factor to social connections and resilience. This narrative review guided by the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) integrates multidisciplinary research in gerontology, psychology, sociology, and theology to explore the way in which RSE contributes to the social well-being of older adults. The review further emphasizes cultural and global diversity, illustrating how spiritual traditions and practices across societies enhance identity, belonging, and continuity in later life. It also considers emerging digital forms of spiritual engagement that expand access and reshape community participation. This paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for public health policy and geriatrics, emphasizing the need to consider spiritual well-being as a part of holistic perspectives of aging.