Effectiveness of Unity-Oriented Psychology Based Training on Loneliness and Death Anxiety Among Women at Empty Nest Stage

Empty nest stage in family life cycle, which takes place with children leaving home, may cause an increase in the feelings of depression, loneliness and anxiety of parents. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of unity-oriented psychology based training on loneliness and death anxiety in women at empty nest stage. A quasi-experimental research method with pretest-posttest, control group and 2-month follow-up was used in this study. The statistical population consisted of women experiencing empty nest stage in Tehran. The sampling method was purposive and 24 individuals were selected and randomly assigned into two groups (n=12). The experimental group participated in 6 sessions of Unity-Oriented Psychology based training, once a week, for 120 minutes, and 6 home exercise sessions, and the control group was on the waiting list. Research instruments included Revised Loneliness Scale (UCLA) and the Templer Death Anxiety Questionnaire (DAS). Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of covariance were used for data analysis. The results showed that the unity-oriented psychology based training had a significant effect on reducing feelings of loneliness and death anxiety among women experiencing empty nest stage. These results were also consistent after a 2-month follow-up. According to the findings of this study, unity-oriented psychology based training can be considered as an effective intervention to reduce the feelings loneliness and death anxiety of women at empty nest stage.