The Influence of Religious Activities on the Level of Happiness of the Elderly at the Tresna Werdha Social Home, Bengkulu City

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FORMOSA NEWS - Bengkulu - Religious Activities Proven to Improve Happiness Among Elderly Residents in Bengkulu Social Home. A study conducted by a team from Bengkulu University published in 2025 in the Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences. This study was written by Kardopa Teger, Winda Rezfizalia, Nadhira Putri Rahamda, Gina Adzana Ramadani, Heni Nopianti, and Ika Pasca Himawati. The study shows that elderly individuals who actively participate in religious activities such as communal prayers, worship services, and religious study sessions tend to experience higher levels of happiness, emotional calm, and life satisfaction. Beyond physical care, the research highlights spirituality as an important non-material factor supporting elderly well-being, especially for those living in institutional care settings.

Aging Population and the Well-Being Challenge in Indonesia

Indonesia is undergoing a demographic transition toward an aging society. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), older adults accounted for approximately 11.75 percent of the population in 2023, and this proportion is expected to grow steadily as life expectancy increases. While longer life is a positive achievement, it also raises new challenges related to health, social inclusion, and psychological well-being.

Elderly individuals often face declining physical strength, reduced independence, and shrinking social networks. These challenges can be even more pronounced for seniors living in social homes, where separation from family and familiar environments may intensify feelings of loneliness and emotional vulnerability.

Happiness in later life is widely understood as part of subjective well-being, encompassing life satisfaction, positive emotions, and acceptance of life circumstances. In this context, religious and spiritual activities have increasingly been recognized as potential sources of emotional resilience and social connection. However, empirical evidence focusing on elderly residents of social institutions in Indonesia has remained limited. The Universitas Bengkulu study helps fill this gap.

Key Findings: A Positive and Meaningful Relationship

The results reveal a clear and statistically significant relationship between religious activities and elderly happiness. The main findings include:

• A positive correlation coefficient of 0.450, indicating a moderate but meaningful relationship between participation in religious activities and happiness levels.
• Religious activities account for 20.2 percent of the variation in happiness among elderly participants.
• Increased involvement in religious programs is consistently associated with higher happiness scores.

These results indicate that elderly residents who are more actively engaged in religious activities tend to feel calmer, more satisfied with their lives, and more emotionally stable. While happiness is influenced by many factors, spirituality emerges as a significant contributor within the institutional care environment.

Implications for Elderly Care and Public Policy

The study carries practical implications for social institutions, policymakers, and elderly care providers. First, it demonstrates that religious activities should be viewed as a core component of elderly welfare services, not merely as optional programs. Structured and inclusive religious activities can significantly enhance emotional well-being at relatively low cost.

Second, the findings support a holistic approach to elderly care. Physical health services alone are not sufficient to ensure quality of life. Psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions must also be addressed in policies and care models for aging populations.

For policymakers, the research underscores the importance of integrating spiritual well-being into elderly care frameworks, particularly in government-supported social homes. For educators and researchers, the study strengthens the evidence base for examining non-material determinants of happiness and encourages further research with larger samples and diverse settings.

Author Profiles

Kardopa Teger, S.Sos. Lecturer and researcher in sociology at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Bengkulu.
Expertise: social welfare and aging studies.

Winda Rezfizalia, S.Sos. Researcher focusing on social institutions and community well-being, Universitas Bengkulu.

Nadhira Putri Rahamda, S.Sos. Researcher specializing in elderly social care and institutional services, Universitas Bengkulu.

Gina Adzana Ramadani, S.Sos. Researcher in social psychology and welfare studies, Universitas Bengkulu.

Heni Nopianti, S.Sos. Academic focusing on social development and institutional care, Universitas Bengkulu.

Ika Pasca Himawati, S.Sos., M.Si. Lecturer and researcher in sociology and social policy, Universitas Bengkulu.

Source

Teger, K., Rezfizalia, W., Rahamda, N. P., Ramadani, G. A., Nopianti, H., & Himawati, I. P. (2025). The Influence of Religious Activities on the Level of Happiness of the Elderly at the Tresna Werdha Social Home, Bengkulu City. Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 1, hlm. 185–198.                                                                                                            
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i1.544 
URL: https://srhformosapublisher.org/index.php/fjas