A Navigating Midlife with Purpose: Quality of Life Experiences among Consecrated Women Religious in Kenya

Background: Quality of life is a multidimensional concept that reflects individuals’ perceptions of their physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental conditions. Among middle-aged Consecrated Women Religious, quality of life may be influenced by the unique demands of religious vocation, including communal living, spiritual commitments, ministry responsibilities, and the developmental transitions associated with midlife. Aim: This study aimed to assess the quality of life among middle-aged Consecrated Women Religious in the Western Deanery of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A sample of 220 middle-aged Consecrated Women Religious was targeted, with 212 participants completing the questionnaires, resulting in a 96.4% response rate. Data were collected using an adapted Quality of Life instrument based on the World Health Organization Quality of Life framework. Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, were used to summarize quality of life levels, while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine differences in quality of life based on demographic characteristics. Results: Participants reported relatively positive quality of life across all domains. Psychological health recorded the highest mean score (M = 3.84, SD = 0.46), followed by social relationships (M = 3.71, SD = 0.37), environment (M = 3.58, SD = 0.60), and physical health (M = 3.32, SD = 0.39). The overall quality of life score was high (M = 3.61, SD = 0.34). ANOVA results showed no statistically significant differences in quality of life based on age, education level, congregational role, or years in religious life (p > .05). Conclusion: Middle-aged Consecrated Women Religious demonstrated generally positive quality of life across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. The findings highlight the potential contribution of spiritual commitment, supportive community structures, and meaningful religious engagement to sustaining well-being during midlife.

Quality of life; Consecrated Women Religious; midlife; psychological well-being

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