Religious factors and gerotranscendence in later life: A scope review of empirical studies

Tornstam's theory of gerotranscendence has been linked to multiple concepts over the years. Its cosmic dimension, which is defined as a feeling of communion with the universe, makes it easily associated to religious matters, although these are not overlapping constructs. This review examined associations between religious factors and gerotranscendence in later life, aiming to summarize the extent of available evidence. Six databases were searched for empirical studies examining such associations, and a final set of nine studies were eligible for analysis. Seven studies showed a positive correlation between gerotranscendence and religiosity; one study showed an inconclusive correlation and another a negative one. Results suggest that gerotranscendence can be linked to religious matters, especially when people can connect their metaphysical ideas. The main identified gaps in the literature refer to the lack of specification on religious factors and the non-use of instruments to evaluate specific aspects of religiosity.