AGEING AND TRAUMA MANAGEMENT: A CHRISTIAN COUNSELING APPROACH

Abstract

Trauma is a recurrent factor among elderly people who often face age-related circumstances such as loss, declining health, social exclusion, emotional, psychological, and other existential challenges. This study explored the intersection of ageing, trauma, and Christian Counseling approaches to trauma management. The Christian counseling perspective offers a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the psychological and emotional dimensions of trauma but also the spiritual aspects. The study leaned on two theoretical frameworks: the Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Model (BPSS) as a dominant theory and Logotherapy as a complementary one. While the dominant theory gave a comprehensive overview of trauma among the elderly by making room for, and clarifying the dynamic interaction between biological, psychological, social, and spiritual life, the supportive one offered meaning-oriented perspective that is particularly important in later life. Both are relevant in Christian counselling as they address body, mind, and spirit, not just on trauma as a pure psychological phenomenon. Supporting the integration of these theories, the study revealed several consistent findings. One of such findings were that trauma among the elderly in Nigeria and Africa is multidimensional. Another stark finding that supported the synthesis of empirical and theoretical studies on old age was that seniors who are spiritual cope better than those who are not. The study also revealed that when elders are supported, their recovery process becomes faster in later life since meaning-making improves both psychological and spiritual wellbeing. The study concluded that since life review at old age reduces trauma related distresses, and faith-based meaning-making promotes resilience, it is recommended that Christian counselors should combine BPSS and Logotherapy principles in order to provide a holistic lealing in the lives of the elderly.