J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 1997 Nov; 35(11): 32-8.

Religion/spirituality and health among elderly African Americans and Hispanics.

Stolley JM, Koenig H.

Trinity College of Nursing, Moline, IA 61265, USA.

1 It is important to view elders in a multicultural sense and also understand that there may be great heterogeneity within cultural or ethnic groups. 2 Knowledge of the impact of religion and spiritual beliefs for ethnic groups can help health care professionals design interventions that are culture-specific to the beliefs of individuals. 3 The psychiatric nurse is in a unique position to encourage the patient to use healthy religious practices to deal with their illness, whether mental or physical.