Correlation of Rejection Perception and Depression Syndrome with the Mediating Role of Emotional Schemas in Elderly

Depression is a common problem in the elderly that can be affected by various variables. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the rejection perception and depression syndrome with the mediating role of emotional schemas in the elderly in Rasht.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the statistical population of the elderly living in nursing homes in Rasht in 2020 year.  The sample consisted of 218 people from one government center and five non-government centers by cluster random sampling. The instruments of this study included demographic information questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Perceived Rejection Scale (PRS) and Emotional Schemas Scale (ESS). In order to analyze the data SPSS-24, Amos-24 and R-4,0,2 statistical software were used.

The results showed that the rejection perception and emotional schemas are directly related to depression symptoms in the elderly (P <0.05). rejection perception is also related to emotional schemas of the elderly (P <0.05). The results also showed that the variable of rejection perception with mediating the variable of emotional schemas has a significant relationship on depression in the elderly (Z = 7.47, P <0.05).

rejection perception and emotional schemas were among the factors affecting depression in the elderly living in nursing homes in Rasht. It is suggested that psychologists and other helpers to reduce depression in the elderly pay attention to appropriate therapeutic interventions to reduce the rejection perception and modify emotional schemas.