The Prediction of Psychological Well-being Based on the Components ofReligious Attitude and Self-esteem among the Elderly in Ahvaz, Iran

Ignoring the social aspects of health in the elderly in the age of communications and globalization causes theirincreased vulnerability in the physical, mental, and suicidal dimensions and increased tendency to smoke and social harms.The main purpose of this study was to predict psychological well-being in the elderly in Ahvaz city based on the components of religious attitude and self-esteem.

This was a correlational study. The statistical population included the Iranian elderly in Ahvaz. Out of whom, 80 were selected by random sampling method and based on Morgan’s table. For collecting data, religious beliefs questionnaire, self-esteem scale, and psychological well-being inventory were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency analysis, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistical tests such as correlation and multiple regression. In this study, all ethical considerations have been observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

The results appointed to the positive and significant relationship of religious attitude and its subscales with psychological well-being. There was also a positive and significant relationship between self-esteem and its subscales and psychological well-being.

It can be concluded that religion plays a role in prevention and is an important sourceof prevention of diseases. Religious and ethnic values have a positive correlation with mental health because they encourage favorable social behaviors in culture. Many forms of religion are consistent with individual growth including advancement, sustainability and stability, avoiding a harmful lifestyle, sustainable family coherence, and self-development.