The Effectiveness of Compassion Therapy on Cognitive Fusion and Self-Criticism in Older Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

With an aging population, an increase in the provision of services to individuals experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is expected in care services for older adults. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of compassion therapy on cognitive fusion and self-criticism in older adults with PTSD in Tabriz, Iran. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all older adults with PTSD living in Tabriz in 2022. The sample of the study included 30 older adults (65 to 75 years old) selected through convenience sampling method and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, and were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent Gilbert’s compassion therapy package in eight 90-minute weekly sessions. The questionnaires used in this research consisted of Thompson and Zuroff’s levels of self-criticism scale and Gillanders et al.’s cognitive fusion questionnaire. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-22 software. The results revealed that in the post-test stage, there is a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of cognitive fusion and self-criticism (P<.001). Based on the findings of this study, compassion therapy results in the decrease of cognitive fusion and self-criticism in older adults and can represent new horizons in clinical interventions and can be used as an effective intervention method to improve the mental health and quality of life in older adults.