The Relationship between Religious Beliefs and Life Satisfaction in the Retirees of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

 Addressing the factors affecting their physical and mental health, including religion and religious orientation, has become particularly important with the increasing elderly population. This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between life satisfaction and religious beliefs.

 The present study is descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional. The statistical population was all retirees of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, out of whom 158 were included in the study by census. Data was collected using Diner’s Life Satisfaction and Allport’s Religious Orientation questionnaires. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data. In this study, all the ethical considerations were observed and the authors reported no conflict of interests.

 The mean age of the participants in the study was 59.78±8.24 years. More than half of the female participants were mostly married, had a diploma and were economically average. The results showed a statistically significant and positive correlation between the life satisfaction score and religious beliefs and the intrinsic orientation. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between life satisfaction and religious beliefs in the participants over the age of 60, the married, the retired males, and those with higher-than-diploma education, and those with an average economic status.

 According to the declining life satisfaction during retirement and old age due to physical and mental problems, religious beliefs can compensate for the limitations caused by physical and mental problems and increase life satisfaction.