MENTAL HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE CONTRIBUTION OF QUR’ANIC SPIRITUALITY TO IMPROVING PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
Keywords:
Older adults, mental health, psychological well-being, Qur’anic spirituality, digital ageAbstract
The development of digital technology has brought numerous conveniences to people’s lives, including those of the elderly. However, on the other hand, the digital transformation has also given rise to new challenges in the form of social isolation, anxiety, stress, and a decline in psychological well-being among the elderly. This study aims to analyze the contribution of Qur’anic spirituality in enhancing the psychological well-being of the elderly in the digital age. The study employs a qualitative approach using library research, analyzed through the thematic exegesis (maudhu‘i) method. The primary data sources consist of Qur’anic verses related to inner peace, hope, patience, and mental health, supported by scientific literature on geriatric psychology and psychological well-being. The results indicate that the spiritual values in the Qur’an hold strong relevance in supporting the mental health of the elderly. The concept of ṭuma’nīnah (inner peace), as stated in QS. Ar-Ra‘d [13]: 28, “Know that it is through the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace,” serves as a psychological foundation for reducing anxiety and emotional stress. Furthermore, the values of patience, gratitude, tawakal (trust in Allah), and optimism contained in various verses of the Qur’an have been proven to strengthen psychological resilience and help the elderly adapt to social and technological changes. These findings also indicate that Qur’anic spirituality plays a role in fostering a sense of life’s meaning, self-acceptance, and more positive social relationships. This study concludes that Qur’anic spirituality can serve as a model for a holistic approach to enhancing the psychological well-being of the elderly in the digital age by integrating spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. This study offers a new conceptual framework for the development of more humanistic and Qur’anic-value-based mental health programs for the elderly
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