Grant: Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

"Major neurocognitive disorder (NCD), including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, is a leading cause of disability and dependency among older adults worldwide (World Health Organization, 2023). Beyond cognitive decline, individuals living with NCD often experience disruptions in meaning, identity, and connectedness, dimensions closely related to spiritual well-being (Caddell & Clare, 2010; Toivonen et al., 2022). Spiritual well-being, commonly understood as a sense of meaning, peace, and purpose, has been associated with psychological adjustment and quality of life in older populations (Koenig, 2012). Despite growing recognition of holistic dementia care, limited research has examined the factors that influence spiritual well-being in this population. The purpose of this project is to synthesize existing evidence on determinants of spiritual well-being in older adults with major NCD. An integrative review methodology following Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) framework will be used to examine empirical studies across healthcare and community settings. A structured search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO will identify studies that assess spiritual well-being or related constructs among individuals with NCD. Following screening and data extraction, findings will be synthesized to identify determinants across individual, relational, and contextual domains. The review will generate a preliminary conceptual framework outlining factors that influence spiritual well-being in dementia. Findings will inform future research and interventions aimed at strengthening holistic, person-centred dementia care. "