OBJECTIVE: Identify forms of religious orientation, if intrinsic or extrinsic, and possible relations to the quality of life for active seniors and to understand the manifestations of the religious phenomenon for adequate clinical practices on the challenges of senior care. METHODS: The sample comprised 60 active elderly, attending supporting groups, in the city of São José dos Campos, SP. We used the instruments: generic questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), to assess the quality of life, and the Intrinsic-Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale, as well as an interview guided by a socio-demographic questionnaire, developed by the researchers. Data were statistically treated using the bilateral Student t-test, to a confidence level of 5%. RESULTS: We evaluated 11 men (18%) and 49 women (82%), aged 61-85 years. There was no statistically significant difference in all areas of the SF-36 among women with intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity. Only statistically significant difference was found among men in the field "General Health", which was considered better among those with intrinsic religious. CONCLUSION: Overall, there were no significant relationships between religious orientation and quality of life. This may suggest that these results are due to the fact that the study population participates in support groups, and live in a city with high level of futurity, feeling supported in the aspects of protection, participation and health.
Aging; Quality of life; Religion; Aging; Centers for Living and Leisure; Sao Jose dos Campos, SP
