The Comparison of Effectiveness of Logotherapy and Positive Psychotherapy on Self-differentiation and Positive Psychological Characteristics of Retired Teachers among Isfahan

Considering that retirement may cause depression, hopelessness, aimlessness in life, and as a result, dependence and lack of self-differentiation in relationships, and also that as the elderly population grows, so does their mental health, therefore; the aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of logotherapy and positive psychotherapy on self-differentiation and positive psychological characteristics of retired teachers in Education of Isfahan.

In this semi-experimental study, 60 retired teachers in Education of Isfahan in 2019. Data were collected using the scales of self-differentiation (Skowron and Friedlander) and positive psychological characteristics (Rashid). The data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results demonstrated that logotherapy was more effective on self-differentiation than positive psychotherapy (F=3/339, P= 0/45) and there was a significant difference between these two methods (P<0/05). Moreover, positive psychotherapy was more effective than logotherapy on positive psychological characteristics (F= 4/721, P= 0/025) and there was a significant difference between these two methods (P<0/05).

Logotherapy can be used to improve or increase self-differentiation and positive psychotherapy can be applied to increase or improve the positive psychological characteristics of the elderly in educational centers, nursing homes, counseling centers and psychological clinics.