Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing
Year:2020 | Volume:14 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Objectives Diabetes mellitus and mental health can affect the sleep quality of older people. The aim of this study was to examine association of sleep quality with mental health and blood sugar control in elderly people with diabetes. Methods & Materials This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 on 200 seniors with type 2 diabetes referred to Shahid Bahonar and Shafa hospitals in Kerman, Iran who were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), Yield questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using chisquare test, Pearson correlation test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The mean age of participants was 69. 33± 9. 65 years. Most of them were female (n=98, 55. 4%). Their overall sleep quality was poor (6. 9± 4. 5). More than half of them had moderate level of mental distress (54. 8%) and psychological wellbeing (46. 3%) and poor blood sugar control (65. 5%). Mental health and blood sugar control had a significant effect on the sleep quality of elderly people with diabetes (P<0. 05). Conclusion Sleep disorders is more common in elderly people with diabetes which can be affected by their mental health and blood sugar control. Health care providers should pay more attention to the sleep quality of these patients, and provide appropriate educational intervention. Since the variables of psychological distress, psychological well-being and blood sugar control explained 19% of sleep disorders, further studies are needed to identify other factors affecting their sleep disorders

Objectives having adequate physical activity during aging period can be effective in improving mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Psychological Well-Being (PWB). Methods & Materials This is a descriptive/correlational study. The study population consisted of elderly people in Ahvaz, Iran. Of these, 120 with a mean age of 64. 52± 2. 98 were selected using convenience and purposive sampling methods and based on inclusion criteria (age over 60 years, the ability to understand and answer to the questions, full consciousness, and mental health). Data were collected using Cyberia-Shrink’ s EI test, Ryff’ s PWB questionnaire and Craig’ s International Questionnaires of Physical Activity. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 21 and AMOS V. 18 applications by using the correlation coefficient and Bootstrap test (to determine the mediating role of physical activity). The significance level was set at P<0. 05. Results There was a significant correlation between EI and physical activity(r= 0. 70), between EI and PWB (r= 0. 84) and between physical activity and PWB (r= 0. 70) (p<0. 01). Physical activity had a mediating role in the relationship of EI and PWB using Bootstrap test (P <0. 001). Conclusion There was a positive and significant relationship between EI and PWB and physical activity had a mediating role. Therefore, encouraging elderly people to have physical activity can improve their emotional and mental health and help them have a healthy and comfortable old age.

Objectives Quality of Life (QOL) is an important indicator in health evaluation, and its improvement reflects the preservation and enhancement of the physical and mental health of the elderly people. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sport intervention based on intergenerational programs on the QOL of older adults. Methods & Materials The is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test/post-test design. The samples were 150 older adults (mean age, 71. 4± 78. 50 years) and 100 students (mean age, 21. 86± 2. 62 years) living in Mashhad, Iran in 2017, who were selected using a convenience sampling method. They were randomly divided into three groups including two experimental groups (received two types of intergenerational programs for 8 weeks) and one control group. Data were collected using a demographic form, Socio-Economic Status Questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality Of Life (WHOQOL). The collected data were analysed using two-way ANOVA in SPSS V. 25 software. Results Demographic variables had no significant effect on the QOL of participants in the study groups (P>0. 05), but economic status significantly affected their QOL (P≥ 0. 05). The scores of QOL dimensions were significantly different in the three groups (P<0. 01). Moreover, the QOL of older adults after intervention with sports activity (81. 56± 17. 87) and without sports activity (75. 18± 28. 59) increased significantly compared to their pre-test scores and the control group (42. 28± 3. 21) (P<0. 01). Conclusion Intergenerational programs can have a beneficial effect on the life of older adults by improving their QOL

Objectives Interpersonal relations play a decisive role in many areas of life. The effects of interpersonal variables on the mental health and personality disorders have been already reported. The present study aimed to investigate the role of maladaptive personality traits in prediction of interpersonal problems in older people. Methods & Materials This is a descriptive correlational study. Study population consisted of all elderly people living in Tabriz, Iran in 2017. Of these, 294 were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In order to collect data, the Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Brief Form (PID-5-BF) and the 32-item Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-32) were used. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 32 software using descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and multiple regression analysis). Results Participants were 48 men (16. 3%) and 245 women (83. 3%) aged 60-99 years (Mean age, 68± 8. 45). There was a significant relationship between maladaptive personality traits and interpersonal problems (P<0. 05). Maladaptive personality traits could predict 59. 2% of interpersonal problems. Moreover, the dimensions of psychoticism, antagonism, detachment, and disinhibition had significant effect on interpersonal problems (P<0. 01) Conclusion Maladaptive personality traits of the elderly people can predict their interpersonal problems.

Objectives Demoralization Syndrome (DS) leads to an inability to cope effectively with stressful events. Elderly people experience existential issues such as meaningless of life, fear of death and regret of missed opportunities and feel inadequate if they are unable to meaningfully and effectively respond to them. Considering the significant effect of living environment on different aspects of mental health, this study aims to investigate the DS and its relationship with housing status in the elderly people. Methods & Materials This is a descriptive comparative study conducted on 325 elderly people in Tehran (110 nursing home residents, 100 day-care receivers, and 115 community dwellers) who were selected using a non-probability sampling method. Data collection tool was the Demoralization Scale of Kissane (2004) which was completed by researchers through face-to-face interviewing with participants. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 20 software using one-way ANOVA. Results The mean overall level of DS in the residents of nursing homes (69. 60± 17. 41) was higher compared to the community dwellers (45. 40± 21. 47), and those receiving day care services from the rehabilitation centers (31. 90± 17. 59), and this difference was significant (P≤ 0. 05). The observed differences in DS among three groups and its subscale scores were statistically significant (P≤ 0. 05). Conclusion Having DS is associated with housing status and lifestyle of the elderly people. Thus, establishing elderly day care centers and supporting family caregivers to achieve a higher level of mental health for the elderly people can be effective.

Objectives Changes in aging peiod can have profound effects on the life and mental health of the elderly people. Optimism and perception of aging are among the factors associated with the psychological wellbing of the elderly people. The present study aimed to predict the perception of aging based on optimism among the elderly people. Methods & Materials This is a correlational study. The study population consisted of all elderly residents of Qom city in Iran in 2018. Of these, 270 were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) and Aging Perception Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 21 software. Results Participants 177 male (65%) and 93 female (34%) with a mean age of 74± 6. 05 years. There was a significant positive correlation between optimism and perception of aging in the elderly (P<0. 01); optimism could predict and explain 56% of variations in the perception of aging (P<0. 01). Conclusion Optimism can predict the perception of aging in the elderly people; Therefore, it is suggested that mental health professionals and those working in the field of aging should use the results of this study to design psychological interventions and educational packages, and hold optimism skills training workshops to improve the optimism of older people.

Objectives Over the past few decades, Iran has faced rapid demographic changes, including a sharp decline in birth rates and increased life expectancy. This has led to an increase in the average age of the population and an increase in the percentage of the elderly people which is called “ the phenomena of aging” . The occurrence of this phenomenon in Iran is rapidly increasing, and therefore the Iranian community has limited opportunity to prepare for the aging challenges. One of the major challenges for the aging population is the rising health care costs due to the elderly's need for a variety of health services, which causes many households with elderly members to face significant economic problems. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the presence and age of elderly members on health care costs of the households in Iran. Methods & Materials This study is a secondary analysis using 2016 national household, expenditure and income survey data. Sample size was 19337 households in rural areas and 18809 households in urban areas (total= 38146) in Iran. Linear regression analysis in STATA V. 14 was used to test the effect of variables on health care costs of households with and without elderly members. Results There was a significant association between the presence of an elderly member in the household and increase in total health care expenditure and medical expenses, such that for one increase in the number of elderly members, total health care expenditure increased by 390, 000 Tomans, and medical expenses increased by 195, 000 Tomans. In terms of age, families with an elderly member aged 75-79 years had the highest care costs, while those with an elderly member aged 80 and more had the least cost increase. Moreover, household income, having a smoker member, having an income-earner member, living in urban areas, household head education, and health development rate of the province of residence had significant association with total health care expenditure and medical expenses of households. However, no association was found between having health insurance and medical expenses. Conclusion Since the presence of an elderly member significantly increase the household health costs, future policies should be planned to support the families with elderly members. The health care system of Iran should also be prepared to meet to the health and medical needs of future ageing population.

Objectives Understanding the concept of aging and its experience from the perspective of the elderly people can provide a deeper and more realistic understanding of the phenomenon and their problems and needs. The present study aims to understand and explain the lived experiences of aging in older adults living in Iran. Methods & Materials This study used hermeneutic phenomenological method to gather data, and Van Manen’ s method was used for data analysis. Sampling was conducted from June 2014 to August 2015 and continued until new theme were provided. Data were collected through 10 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with older people and then were analyzed for explaining the concept of aging. Results Seven themes were extracted from the data, including the scent of deterioration, submerging in the turbulence of thoughts, lost dignity, deepened spiritual tendencies, wishing a happy life for others, transcendentalism and keeping possessions. Based on these themes, the concept of aging was explained. Conclusion Older people’ s perceptions of aging can provide valuable data to gerontologists and professionals in related health, education and social fields to be used for reducing the existing problems, future planning for the elderly, better communication with this group, and improving aging knowledge the quality of life aged people.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a corrective exercise protocol on the frequency spectrum of Ground Reaction Force (GRF) in older adults with genu valgum during double-leg drop-landing task. Methods & Materials The is a quasi-experimental study (a registered clinical trial with code: IRCT2016110230657N1). Participants were 26 elderly men with genu valgum (13 in intervention group and 13 in control group). The GRF data were measured by two force plates (Kistler Group, Winterthur, Switzerland). The corrective exercise was performed for 16 weeks, 3 sessions per week. All participants signed a written consent form and the study design was approved by the ethics committee. Those subjects with a history of injury were excluded from the study. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results The mean age of participants in the intervention and control groups were 63. 92± 2. 21 and 64. 01± 2. 62 years, respectively. Based on the ANOVA results, the effect of time factor on the frequency with a power of 99. 5% in vertical GRF (P=0. 003) and the number of essential harmonics in anterior-posterior direction (P=0. 006) was significant in the left leg. The effect of group factor on the 99. 5% frequency power (P=0. 006) and the number of essential harmonics of vertical GRF (P=0. 047) in the left leg was also significant. Furthermore, the interaction effect of group and time on the 99. 5% frequency power (P<0. 001) and the number of essential harmonics of vertical GRF (P=0. 001) in the left leg was significant. The results of paired t-test showed that the number of essential harmonics in vertical GFR in the left leg during drop-landing task in the intervention group was significantly greater in the post-test phase than in the pre-test phase (P=0. 018). Conclusion Corrective exercise program improved GRF frequency during drop landing in older adults with genu valgum.