The Effectiveness of Problem Solving Therapy for Interpersonal Problems in Depressed Elderly with Empty Nest Syndrome

Empty nest syndrome is one of the psychological challenges that the elderly face after their children leave home, and it can lead to depression and interpersonal problems. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of problem solving therapy on interpersonal problems in depressed elderly with this syndrome.

This research was conducted as a semi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design and with a control group. The statistical population included all depressed elderly with empty nest syndrome in the care and rehabilitation centers of Ardabil Welfare Organization in 2024. From this population, 28 people were selected from all the centers by available sampling method and replaced in two experimental and control groups (14 people in each group). The experimental group received 10 sessions of 90 minutes of problem solving therapy, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using depression, interpersonal problems and empty nest syndrome questionnaires and analyzed with mixed variance analysis.

 The results showed that problem solving therapy (group factor) has an effect on only two components of frankness and humanization and openness (P<0.05). Also, significant differences were observed in interpersonal problems and depression in different stages . The time factor explains 58.7% and 72.7% of the variance of grades, respectively. In addition, the interaction effect between group and time was also significant, and affected 64.8% and 74.3% of the variance of scores.

Problem solving therapy is introduced as an effective method in reducing interpersonal problems and depression in the elderly, and it is suggested to be used as a complementary treatment along with other treatment methods.