Buddhism-as-a-meaning-system for coping with late-life stress: a conceptual framework

OBJECTIVES: Religion is increasingly conceptualized as a meaning system for adjustment and coping. Most of the conceptualizations are grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition. They may thus not be applicable to Buddhism, which provides a distinct tenor of meaning for coping. This article seeks to construct a conceptual framework of Buddhism-as-a-meaning-system for coping with late-life stress. METHOD: Literature review and conceptualization were employed. RESULTS: Under this framework, Buddhism functions as a meaning system involving existential meaning, cognitive meaning, and behavioral meaning. CONCLUSION: There is reason to believe that this framework promises to offer a holistic conceptual map of Buddhist coping in late life. Thus, it could serve as a guide for further empirical and theoretical exploration in the uncharted terrains of Buddhist coping in old age. In addition, gerontological practitioners could use this framework as a frame of reference when working with elderly Buddhist clients who are in stressful circumstances.