Representações sociais de saúde e envelhecimento entre idosos espíritas no município de Juiz de Fora

Abstract

This study aims to identify, analyze and discuss the Social Representations of Health and Ageing among older Spiritists to understand the relationship between health and religiosity of the elderly. Taking as parameter methodological qualitative approach, three focus groups were conducted, of which sixteen seniors who participated in volunteer work exerted in three Spiritist Centers in the city of Juiz de Fora, plus interviews with thirteen seniors who held positions of president and or direction in these same centers. The results - analyzed through Hermeneutic-Dialectic pointed out that Spiritist religious experience can exert significant influence on the construction of social representations above. We conclude that an intervention program in the health of the elderly in the context spiritist could provide healthy aging, promote sociability and conviviality, allowing this old sense of belonging, social support, increased secondary control and pride / joy by performing volunteer work. In relation to health, would stimulate positive behaviors and / or offering therapeutic resources themselves, justified by the concept of being "spirit", heart health status.