نشریه روانشناسی پیری
سال دهم شماره 3 (پیاپی 38، پاییز 1403)

Among the phenomena that threaten the aged population, one is abuse, which leads to serious physical and psychological consequences, cognitive decline, and even premature death. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of mindful self-compassion (MSC) intervention on cognitive ability in aged individuals who have experienced abuse. The research method was quasi-experimental with a single group pretest-posttest-follow-up design. The statistical population included all abused individuals living in nursing homes in Rasht, Iran in 2023, among whom 12 (60 to 80 years old) were selected by the convenience sampling method and based on the eligibility criteria. To collect data, Rodriguez & Carrasco’s Geriatric Mistreatment Scale and Nejati’s Cognitive Ability questionnaire were used. The participants underwent Germer and Neff’s MSC intervention for 8 weekly 90-minute sessions. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS-24 software. The results illustrated that the MSC intervention increased the cognitive ability of the abused individuals (P<.05). In other words, the MSC intervention is effective in increasing the cognitive ability of the abused aged population. According to the findings of this study, therapists and centers specializing in geriatrics can use the MSC intervention as an effective solution to increase cognitive ability and prevent its decline in combination with other methods in older adults.

Old age is a sensitive period in which examining different dimensions of mental health becomes very important. Tolerating distress and character strengths is one of the factors that can have a significant impact on people’s mental health in old age. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on distress tolerance and character strengths on older adults of Dezful, Iran. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all the older adults living in Dezful in 2023. The sample of the research included 30 older adults (65 to 75 years old) selected by the convenience sampling method and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received Hayes et al.’s package of ACT in eight weekly 90-minute sessions. The scales used in this research included Peterson and Seligman’s character strengths scale and Simmons and Gaher’s distress tolerance scale. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-22 software. The results revealed that by controlling the effect of the pre-test in the post-test stage, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of distress tolerance and character strengths (p<.001). Based on the findings of this study, ACT increases the distress tolerance and character strengths in older adults and represents new horizons in clinical interventions and can be used as an effective intervention in improving the distress tolerance and character strengths in older adults.

Aging is an important issue in psychological health and quality of life. Older people are vulnerable members of the society, prone to mental disorders, especially depression. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between self-care and depression through hopelessness and social support in older people in the post-COVID period. This was a correlational study, using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of all older people in Tehran, Iran with a sample of 260 individuals selected through convenience sampling. The measures used in this study included the second edition of Beck’s depression inventory, Younesi Borojeni’s elderly self-care questionnaire, Zimet et al.’s multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and Beck’s hopelessness scale. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and SEM in SPSS-26 and AMOS-24 software. The results indicated that the relationship between self-care and depression was significant through hopelessness (P<0.001, β=-0.87), and the relationship between self-care and depression was also significant through social support (P<0.001, β=-0.126). Based on the findings and the clarification of the relationships between self-care and depression in older people through the mediation of hopelessness and social support, effective actions can be taken to reduce depression and its psychological consequences in pandemic periods for this population.

The ever-increasing growth of older population and its consequences have led aging to become a significant social issue in most societies. Old age is an unavoidable and critical period in human life, impacting all aspects of living. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) with depression and social anxiety in older adults. This was a descriptive-correlational study in which 150 individuals were selected through convenience sampling from all older adults aged 60 and over living in Tehran, Iran. The measures included Young’s 75-item EMS questionnaire, Yesavage et al.’s geriatric depression scale and Connor et al.’s social anxiety questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS-28, indicating a significant direct relationship of early maladaptive schemas with both depression and social anxiety (p<0.05). The results of Pearson’s correlation test revealed that EMS of abandonment, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and failure had the strongest correlation with depression. While, EMS of perfectionism, defect/shame, social isolation, and vulnerability to harm were associated with social anxiety. Additionally, the results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that four EMS, namely abandonment, emotional deprivation, defect/shame, and emotional inhibition, were able to significantly predict depression, whereas three EMS, namely social isolation, defect/shame, and perfectionism, were proven to significantly predict social anxiety. It can be concluded that implementing preventive programs during childhood and adolescence to examine schemas and conducting comprehensive educational courses focused on schemas can serve as effective strategies for psychoeducation and improving well-being in old age.

Anxiety and aggression are common problems in old age, which is often accompanied by feelings of inadequacy and physical decline. Older adults are more prone to anxiety and aggression due to decreased self-confidence, reduced activity and mobility, loss of loved ones, chronic diseases, and similar factors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of structured reminiscence on anxiety and aggression in older people living in nursing homes. The research design was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population included all older adults living in nursing homes in Mashhad in 2024, among which one nursing home was randomly selected. The statistical sample included 30 older adults selected using convenience sampling and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 people) and a control group (15 people). The experimental group underwent the structured reminiscence protocol in eight weekly 90-minute sessions. The data collection tools included Eysenck and Wilson’s aggression questionnaire and Beck’s anxiety inventory. Data were analyzed through univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-26 software. The findings of the study showed that structured reminiscence was effective in reducing anxiety and aggression in older adults. Therefore, it can be concluded that structured reminiscence has a positive effect on improving the psychological well-being of older adults. Therefore, the social workers, counselors, psychologists, and health care providers working in the field of aging are recommended to take advantage of structured reminiscence in their treatment programs and intervention measures.

  In the aging period, especially after retirement, the ability to adapt becomes one of the most significant challenges, highlighting the necessity of examining related factors and dimensions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate decision-making styles and social adaptation through the mediating role of spirituality in retired men in Ramshir, Iran. This study employed a descriptive-correlational research design. The statistical population included retired men over 60 years old in Ramshir in 2023-2024, among whom 200 individuals were selected as the sample through convenience sampling, and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection tools included Bosc et al.’s social adaptation questionnaire, Scott and Bruce's decision-making styles questionnaire, and Hall and Edwards’s spirituality scale. For data analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used in SPSS-22 and Smart-PLS version 3.2.8 software. The results indicated that the relationship between decision-making style and social adaptation is significant. Additionally, the relationship between spirituality and decision-making style was significant. Moreover, the study results showed that spirituality plays a mediating role in the relationship between decision-making styles and social adaptation. Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended that specialists and consultants in the field of aging focus on decision-making styles to address the maladjustment during the aging period. Given the modifiability of decision-making styles, training and intervention for changing them should be pursued. Additionally, emphasizing logotherapy and engaging in spiritual activities can significantly enhance adaptation and social adaptation.

One of the critical periods of life is aging, during which people face various physical and mental problems that affect their quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between meaning in life and quality of life through the mediating role of death anxiety. This was a descriptive correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population of the present study included employees and retirees aged 60 to 65 years of various offices and organizations of Tehran, Iran in 2023-2024, among whom 354 people were selected as the sample. Participants answered the Templer’s death anxiety, WHO quality of life, and Steger et al.’s meaning in life questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by SEM using SPSS-24 and AMOS-24 software. The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between meaning in life and quality of life with death anxiety, and a significant positive relationship between meaning in life and quality of life. In addition, the mediating role of death anxiety in the relationship between meaning in life and quality of life was confirmed (P=.001). In general, given that death anxiety affects the quality of life of older adults, addressing the issue of meaning in life in the field of counseling for older adults can help improve their quality of life.