Status of Phsical and Spiritual Seleh-ye Rahem of Qom Elderlies

Seleh-ye Rahem as a friendly and supportive relationship with physical and spiritual Arham، through the development and strengthening social support networks influences people''s ability to deal with the mental and physical disorders caused by aging. Given that social change in modern societies has caused change in the social status of the elderly in communities and their families، this study aimed to investigate the status of physical and spiritual Seleh-ye Rahem of Qom elderlies. In this descriptive cross- sectional study 300 elderlies from Qom city were recruited by cluster systematic sampling in 2012. A researcher made physical and spiritual Seleh-ye Rahem questionnaire and health status of the elderly questionnaire was used to collect data. Validity and reliability of the first questionnaire was determined using content validity and internal proportion and consistency respectively (α -Cronbach''s 0/86). Data were analyzed using SPSS-PC (v. 18) and descriptive statistics، t-test، one-way ANOVA and Kruskal- Wallis. The highest mean score of Seleh-ye Rahem was related to Seleh-ye Rahem with the Prophet and the infallible Imams (32/00) and then family (30/47). Seleh-ye Rahem with family was significantly associated with financial status، source of income، chronic disease and the elderlies’ lifestyle. Seleh-ye Rahem with relatives and friends was significantly associated with education. Seleh-ye Rahem with the Prophet and the infallible Imams was significantly associated with marital status، education، income and lifestyle and Seleh-ye Rahem with the religious scholars and Sadat was significantly associated with education and marital status (P < 0. 05). The elderlies had the best Seleh-ye Rahem relations with the prophet and the Imams and then with their families and Seleh-ye Rahem relations was poor with relatives and friends، especially scholars and Imams descendants. Qualitative studies to identify the causes of poor Seleh-ye Rahem relations in the society and its effects on health status is recommended.