JOURNAL OF AGING PSYCHOLOGY
Year:2019 | Volume:5 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:7

Chronic pain seems to be one of the chronic diseases associated with the elderly which causes stress in the elderly. Researchers are looking to treat this stress through non-pharmacological methods. Therefore, the present research aimed to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on the reduction of perceived stress in the elderly afflicted with chronic pain. This research was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group design. Statistical population included all the elderly with chronic pain living in Mashhad during 2017. For this aim, 24 of the elderly were chosen through convenience sampling method along with inclusion criteria and placed randomly into two groups of experimental and control (with 12 members). Research tools consisted of Cohen Perceived Stress Scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire. Acceptance and commitment therapy was administered to the experiment group in eight 90-minute sessions, while the control grope received no intervention at the same time. Research data were analyzed using the univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results indicated the reduction of scores of perceived stress in the experimental group in comparison to that of the control group (P<0. 05). Thus, acceptance and commitment therapy appears to be effective in reduction of perceived stress in the elderly afflicted with chronic pain. The findings demonstrate the necessity of using acceptance and commitment therapy to reduce perceived stress in elderly. Therefore, acceptance and commitment therapy is suggested to be used to provide psychological services for the elderly.

The growing trend of aging phenomenon propounds the need to pay attention to the issues of the elderly as a social necessity. Lack of social support and body dissatisfaction can cause problems for the elderly. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on Social support perception and body dissatisfaction in elderly in Tehran in 2018. It was a semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design including control and experimental groups. The statistical population included all the elderly attending Nasim elderly cultural center of Tehran who were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two groups of experimental (20 people) and control (20 people). The experimental group received 8 90-minute interventional sessions and the control group remained on waiting list. Perceptual Social Support questionnaire by Zamet et al. and Littleton's Body Dissatisfaction Questionnaire were used to collect the required data. Data analysis was performed using single variable covariance via SPSS19 software. Results suggested a meaningful difference on perceived social support and body dissatisfaction in two groups. The results showed that ACT improved perceived social support and its components, including family support, support from friends and important people to elderly. Also, results showed that ACT improved dissatisfaction with the body and its components, including hiding perceived defects and interference concern with social functioning to elderly. The results of present study reported the effectiveness of ACT on elderly. Therefore, it is suggested that psychologists and therapists may use this method to improve the psychological problems in elderly.

Research on aging and the evaluation of therapeutic interventions to reduce physical and mental health problems of the elderly is one of the common issues in today's scientific societies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group reminiscence on feeling defeated, grateful and optimistic among elderly women in nursing homes in Ahvaz city. It was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group design. The study population consisted all of elderly women living in nursing homes in Ahvaz. For this aim, 18 of the elderly were chosen through convenience sampling method along with inclusion criteria and placed randomly into two groups of experimental and control (n=9). Gilbert & Allan defeat Questionnaire, Godarzie's Islamic-Iranian gratitude questionnaire and Scheier & Carver's Life Orientation survey were used to collect data. Then, group reminiscence therapy was administered on experimental group in 8 sessions and finally posttest was administered to fro experimental and control groups. Data were analyzed using the univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results showed the effectiveness of group reminiscence on decreasing defeat, gratitude and optimism feelings in elderly women. As a result, creating an appropriate environment for participation in positive reminiscence sessions is essential for older people in nursing homes and is effective in improving their mental status.

Attention and focus on variables that predict loneliness in the elderly are an introduction to the successful treatment of loneliness and reduction of its consequences and serious problems resulted. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of mental well-being, psychological capital, and spiritual intelligence in predicting the sense of loneliness of the elderly. It was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population consisted of all elderly citizens over 65 years old living in Dezful, Iran; multi stage cluster sampling method was used to select 368 samples from 6 chosen neighborhoods in Dezful. Required data was collected using Russell's loneliness questionnaire, Case and Maghremo's mental well-being questionnaire, Luthan's psychological capital questionnaire, and Abdullah Zadeh et al. 's spiritual intelligence survey. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation method and multiple stepwise regression analysis using SPSS-21 software version 19. The results of statistical methods showed significant negative correlations between mental well-being, psychological capital and spiritual intelligence with loneliness in the elderly (P≤ 0. 01). Multiple regression results showed that 54% of the variance of loneliness could be predicted by research variables. According to the results, it could be said that the elderly may feel less lonely if they experience higher levels of subjective well-being, psychological capital, and spiritual intelligence. These findings contain important therapeutic applications regarding the importance of these variables in reducing the sense of loneliness of the elderly.

Focusing on the predictors of loneliness in elderly is a prerequisite for successful improvement of loneliness. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of time perspective and experience of pain in predicting loneliness. It was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population consisted of all elderly people over 60 years old in Kermanshah in 2019. 200 elderly members of Retirement Association were selected through convenience sampling. Zimbardo Time Scale Log (ZTPI), McGill's Revised Inventory (SF-MPQ), and Russell's Loneliness Inventory (UCLA) were used to collect information. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Findings indicated a negative and inverse relationship between retrospective-positive, temperamental-pleasure-seeker and the future with loneliness, and there was a positive and direct relationship between the retrospective-negative, temperamental-predictive variables and loneliness (P<0/01). The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that the components of the outlook of retrospective-negative and temperamental-predictive were the most powerful variables for predicting loneliness. Also emotional pain could predict elderly loneliness. These findings revealed influential concepts in providing care for elderly and it could be taken in plans and programs to decreases elderly loneliness and increase their well-being.

One of the major challenges to elderly in modern world is loneliness. Feeling lonely is experienced in all age groups, though it is a stronger feeling at old ages. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between religious exposure and psychological well-being with loneliness in the elderly. The statistical population of the study included all elderly people covered by the Welfare Office and Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in Maragheh. According to Morgan table and using convenience sampling method, 168 individuals were selected accordingly. Golman religious coping questionnaire (2011), Russell's loneliness questionnaire (1966), and psychological well-being survey by Tabesei Zanjani (2004) were used for collecting data. The results were analyzed using Pearson correlation and simultaneous regression tests. Results showed an inverse and significant relationship between loneliness and subcategories of psychological well-being (p≤ 0. 01). The results also reported that loneliness had an inverse and significant relationship with active coping subscales, passive coping and negative feelings toward God (p≤ 0. 05). The results of simultaneous regression showed that psychological well-being and religious coping were both negative predictors for loneliness. Though, psychological well-being with a beta coefficient of-0. 479 is a better predictor of loneliness. It was deduced from the results of the study that religious beliefs play an important role in preventing and reducing loneliness. In addition, a higher level of psychological well-being prevents loneliness occurring.

Growing old, decreasing perception of social efficiency because of retirement and separation from children cause the elderly to feel lonely. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the role of psychological capitals and psychological flexibility in predicting loneliness among elderly. It was a correlational descriptive study. The statistical population of the study included elderly living in Isfahan in 2018. Samples included 253 elderlies who were selected through convenience sampling method. Loneliness scale (Russell), psychological flexibility questionnaire (Denis and Vanderwal) and the questionnaire of psychological capitals (Lotanz and Olio) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and simultaneous multiple regression. The results reported a significant relationship between psychological capitals and psychological flexibility and feeling loneliness in the elderly (P˂ 0. 001). Moreover, the results showed that psychological capitals and psychological flexibility were significant predictors of loneliness among elderly, while there was no significant difference in predicting predictive variables (psychological capitals and psychological flexibility) (P˃ 0. 05). Considering the meaningful role of psychological capitals and psychological flexibility in significantly predicting loneliness in elderly, it seems a necessity to provide training for psychological capitals and improve psychological flexibility among elderly to decrease feeling lonely and apply the outcomes to decrease loneliness in elderly.