a new narrative of aging: the link between spiritual self-care and entertainment in the virtual world

Aging is an inevitable and significant stage of life, during which mental and spiritual health are as important as physical well-being. this study aimed to explore the relationship between spiritual self-care and digital entertainment among older adults and its impact on their quality of life. a narrative review was conducted by searching the databases pubmed, scopus, web of science, sciencedirect, and google scholar. the search strategy included combinations of keywords such as spiritual self-care, elderly, aging, digital entertainment, virtual reality, quality of life, and narrative review. articles published between 2015 and 2025 in both english and persian were considered. after screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, approximately 45 studies were included in the final analysis. data were extracted using narrative content analysis, and main themes and sub-themes were identified. the review revealed that digital entertainment including online games, social networks, discussion groups, and educational classes plays a vital role in reducing loneliness, enhancing psychological well-being, and reinforcing personal identity among older adults. the integration of spirituality with digital technology, as a novel model of self-care, contributes to increased calmness, social connectedness, and life satisfaction. this approach reshapes seniors’ perceptions of themselves and their social roles, shifting them from passive to active participants. furthermore, engaging in digital spiritual experiences such as meaningful communication, mindfulness practices, and appreciation of life supports improved mental health and overall quality of life. these findings suggest that combining spirituality with digital entertainment offers a new framework for meaningful aging. providing older adults with access to technology and digital spiritual resources may serve as an effective strategy to enhance mental health, social engagement, and overall well-being in this population.