Religiosity and Well-Being Among Hindu Elderly

The study was conducted in Rajajipuram, Lucknow, India. Rajajipuram specifically was chosen because it encompasses diverse socioeconomic neighbourhoods, and its representation of both traditional family-based elderly care and emerging institutional care options. This geographic diversity ensures that the sample represents various socioeconomic backgrounds and living arrangement options available to elderly Hindus in contemporary urban India.
Sampling Strategy
The target population consisted of Hindu elderly individuals aged 65 and above living in either institutional care facilities or independently in their own homes within the Rajajipuram area. The age criterion of 65 years was selected based on standard gerontological definitions of elderly populations and alignment with Indian government classifications for senior citizens.
A stratified sampling approach was employed to ensure balanced representation across living arrangements and key demographic characteristics. This sampling strategy was designed to minimize selection bias and enhance the generalizability of findings within the study population.
For the institutional group, a complete enumeration approach was conducted across two purposively selected old age homes in Rajajipuram. These facilities were chosen based on several criteria: (1) primary service to Hindu elderly residents, (2) minimum operational period of five years to ensure established care practices, (3) willingness to participate in research, and (4) representation of different institutional models (one religiously affiliated, one secular). A total of 44 residents aged 65 and above met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate, representing a 100% response rate among eligible residents.
For the home-dwelling group, 44 participants were randomly selected from the same geographic area and matched on key demographic characteristics (age, gender, education level) to minimize confounding variables.
Inclusion Criteria:
• Age 65 years or older
• Self-identified Hindu
• Resided in current setting for minimum 6 months
• Adequate cognitive capacity for informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Acute medical conditions impeding participation
Data Collection Procedures
Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews using validated instruments administered by trained research assistants in Hindi and familiar with local cultural practices. Interviews were conducted in private settings to ensure confidentiality and comfort.