The role of Spirituality in Predicting the Psychological Well-being of the Elderly: Mediated by Alexithymia

With increasing age and the onset of old age, due to the existence of numerous deficiencies, psychological well-being is one of the important issues that may change under the influence of their spirituality and alexithymia; Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of spirituality in predicting the psychological well-being of the elderly: mediated by alexithymia.

The present study was a descriptive-correlation of structural equations. From the statistical population that included all the elderly in the elderly of Qazvin, 92 samples were selected by available sampling from eligible individuals who were willing to cooperate voluntarily. They also answered the questionnaires of Shahidi and Farajnia Spiritual Attitude Scale (2012), Bagbi et al alexithymia scale (1994) and Mood Dysfunction and Ryff short form Well-being (1989). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and SPSS software version 22 and PLS.

The results showed the effect of spirituality on negative and significant alexithymia (p <0.01, β = -0.715), the effect of spirituality on positive and significant psychological well-being (p <0.01, β = 0.474), the effect of alexithymia on psychological well-being was negative and significant (p <0.01, β = -0.447).

The results showed that in providing counseling services to the elderly, the role of positive and protective factors such as spirituality should be considered and appropriate support should be provided to them in terms of alexithymia. To improve and promote the psychological well-being of the elderly.