دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 03 21 The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Death Anxiety, Loneliness, and Rumination in Single Older Women اثربخشی درمان مبتنی بر پذیرش و تعهد بر اضطراب مرگ، احساس تنهایی و نشخوارفکری زنان سالمند مجرد 22 1 4193 10.22126/jap.2026.13176.1893 FA نگین آذربیک گروه روانشناسی، واحد دزفول، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دزفول، ایران 0009-0007-3584-7673 همایون هارون رشیدی گروه روانشناسی، واحد دزفول، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دزفول، ایران 0000-0002-7912-3382 Journal Article 2025 11 17 Background: Later life represents a significant developmental stage during which individuals encounter a wide range of physiological and psychological changes. Among these changes, issues such as death anxiety, feelings of loneliness, and rumination become particularly salient. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination among single older women in Dezful. Method: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of all single older women residing in Dezful in 2025. The sample included 30 participants aged 65–75 years who were selected through convenience sampling based on the study’s inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants in the experimental group received ACT across eight weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes each. The instruments used in this study included Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale developed by Russell and colleagues, and the Ruminative Response Scale by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 23. Results: The findings indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination (p<.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that ACT reduces death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination among older women. These results highlight promising directions for psychological interventions and suggest that ACT can be considered an effective therapeutic approach for reducing death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination in single women in later life. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction Later life represents a significant stage of human development during which individuals experience a wide range of physiological and psychological changes. Among these changes, issues such as death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination become increasingly salient. Addressing the mental health of older adults and identifying factors that promote their psychological well-being is therefore of considerable importance. In this regard, the use of effective therapeutic approaches may serve as a valuable means of improving psychological functioning in later life. In recent years, various therapeutic interventions have been employed to alleviate death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination among older adults; however, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has received substantial attention. Given the growing population of older adults and the necessity of implementing educational and intervention programs aimed at promoting their mental health and equipping them with psychological resources for coping with age-related stressors, further investigation of effective interventions is warranted. Moreover, the effectiveness of ACT in relation to death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination among single older women has received limited empirical attention, or at least has not been adequately documented in the available literature. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination among single older women. Method In terms of purpose, this study was applied research, and methodologically it employed a quasi‑experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of all single older women aged 65–75 years residing in Dezful during the first half of 2025. Using convenience sampling, 30 eligible participants were selected from this population and randomly assigned in equal numbers to an experimental group and a control group. The inclusion criteria were: scoring above the mean on the death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination scales; age between 65 to 75 years; being female; being single; and having at least a high school diploma. Exclusion criteria included simultaneous participation in other psychological interventions and the presence of severe cognitive disorders. Data were collected using Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale (1970), the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale developed by Russell et al. (1978), and the Ruminative Responses Scale by Nolen‑Hoeksema and Morrow (1991). The therapeutic content was adapted from the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy protocol developed by Hayes et al. (1999). The intervention was delivered by a psychotherapy specialist to the experimental group in eight weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes each. Each session included the introduction of session objectives and topics, group discussion, and in‑session exercises. The session contents are presented in Table 1. Data were analyzed using one‑way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23. Results Based on the study design, one‑way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the primary outcomes. Prior to conducting the main analysis, Levene’s test was applied to examine the homogeneity of variances between the two groups at the posttest stage. The results indicated that Levene’s test for death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination was not statistically significant, confirming the assumption of homogeneity of variances. Another key assumption of ANCOVA, homogeneity of regression slopes, was tested by examining the interaction between the independent variable and the pretest scores for each dependent variable on the corresponding posttest scores. The results showed that the F values were not significant at the .05 level for death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination, indicating that this assumption was satisfied. In addition, the normality of the dependent variables was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. The results suggested that the variables were normally distributed, as the obtained Z values were not significant at the 0.05 level. Since all assumptions for ANCOVA were met, one‑way ANCOVA was conducted to examine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the total scores of death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination. The results are presented in Table 1. The findings indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination. In other words, compared with the control group, participants in the experimental group who received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy showed significant reductions in death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination. Conclusion The findings may be explained by the mechanisms of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT utilizes metaphors and experiential exercises aimed at cognitive defusion, such as observing thoughts, labeling thoughts, distancing from thoughts, and allowing them to pass without attempting to change them. Rather than attempting to modify the content of thoughts and emotions, ACT seeks to alter individuals’ relationships with these internal experiences. Through techniques that emphasize acceptance of thoughts and feelings rather than avoidance, as well as mindfulness practices designed to enhance awareness of thoughts, emotions, and internal experiences, ACT promotes psychological flexibility. This increased psychological flexibility can facilitate more adaptive behavior, greater engagement in individual and social activities, and consequently reductions in death anxiety, loneliness, and rumination. Several limitations should be considered when interpreting the results of the present study. These include the use of non‑random convenience sampling, the absence of a follow‑up assessment, and the focus on older women residing in Dezful, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future studies are recommended to employ structured interviews and observational methods for data collection and variable assessment. Additionally, examining outcomes in both short‑term and long‑term follow‑up phases would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the durability of treatment effects. It is also suggested that mental health professionals working in the field of aging incorporate ACT into their practice to help older adults adopt a more flexible perspective toward the challenges and limitations associated with later life and to promote a sense of purpose and meaningful engagement throughout later life. Ethical Consideration Ethical Code This article was derived from the first author’s master’s thesis in personality psychology at the Islamic Azad University, Dezful Branch. Financial Support This study did not receive financial support. 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[Persian] زمینه: سالمندی یکی از مهم‌ترین مراحل زندگی انسان است که در این دوره، افراد با طیف وسیعی از تغییرات فیزیولوژیکی و روان‌شناختی مواجهه می‌شوند. در میان این تغییرات، موضوعاتی از قبیل اضطراب مرگ، احساس تنهایی و نشخوار فکری اهمیت می‌یابند. بنابراین این مطالعه با هدف تعیین اثربخشی درمان مبتنی بر پذیرش و تعهد بر اضطراب مرگ، احساس تنهایی و نشخوار فکری زنان سالمند مجرد شهر دزفول انجام شد. روش: روش پژوهش نیمه‌آزمایشی با طرح پیش‌آزمون-پس‌آزمون با گروه گواه بود. جامعه آماری پژوهش تمامی سالمندان زن شهر دزفول در سال 1404 بودند. حجم نمونه پژوهش شامل 30 نفر سالمند (65 تا 75 ساله) بود که با روش نمونه‌گیری در دسترس و بر اساس معیارهای ورود به مطالعه انتخاب و به‌طور تصادفی در دو گروه آزمایش و گواه گمارش شدند. گروه آزمایش درمان مبتنی بر پذیرش و تعهد را در هشت جلسه 90 دقیقه‌ای هفتگی دریافت نمودند. مقیاس‎های مورد استفاده در این پژوهش شامل اضطراب مرگ تمپلر، احساس تنهایی راسل و همکاران و مقیاس نشخوار فکری نولن هوکسیما و مارو بود. داده‌ها با تحلیل کوواریانس تک‌متغیره، با استفاده از نرم‌افزارSPSS نسخه 22 مورد تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد بین دو گروه آزمایش و گواه در متغیرهای اضطراب مرگ، احساس تنهایی و نشخوار فکری تفاوت معناداری وجود دارد (001/0>p). بحث و نتیجه‌گیری: بر اساس یافته‌های این مطالعه، درمان مبتنی بر پذیرش و تعهد سبب کاهش اضطراب مرگ، احساس‌تنهایی و نشخوارفکری سالمندان زن می‌شود و نمایانگر افق‌های تازه‌ای در مداخلات روان‌شناختی است و می‌توان از آن به‌عنوان یک روش مداخله‌ای مؤثر در کاهش اضطراب مرگ، احساس تنهایی و نشخوار فکری زنان سالمند استفاده کرد.

https://jap.razi.ac.ir/article_4193_c1b4b3ab994a02220b7364c428af0510.pdf

دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 03 21 The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Stress Inoculation Training and Lazarus Multimodal Therapy on Loneliness and Quality of Life in Older Adults مقایسه اثربخشی آموزش ایمن‌سازی در مقابل استرس و درمان چندوجهی لازاروس بر احساس تنهایی و کیفیت زندگی سالمندان 44 23 4329 10.22126/jap.2026.13174.1892 FA محدثه صابری تیلکی ‌دانشجوی دکتری روانشناسی تربیتی، گروه روانشناسی ، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، ، واحد سمنان، سمنان، 0009-0002-6615-067X کلثوم اکبرنتاج بیشه ‌استادیار، گروه پرستاری، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد ساری، ساری، ایران 0000-0003-2657-8030 حسین اقبالی ‌استادیار، گروه روانشناسی ، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، ، واحد سمنان، سمنان، ایران 0000-0002-0741-0892 Journal Article 2025 11 17 Abstract Background: Later life is a stage that can significantly influence individuals’ physical and psychological health and may also lead to changes in lifestyle. Consequently, loneliness and reduced quality of life are relatively common among older adults. In this context, the use of psychological interventions and addressing these issues can enhance the overall well‑being of this population. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) and Lazarus Multimodal Therapy (LMT) on loneliness and quality of life among older adults attending a daytime care center. Method: This study employed a quasi‑experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of adults aged over 65 who attended a daytime care center for older adults in Sari in 2023. From this population, 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling based on the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each. Data were collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale developed by Russell and colleagues and the Quality-of-Life Questionnaire developed by WHO researchers. In this study, the two experimental groups received eight 60‑minute sessions of SIT (Meichenbaum) and LMT, respectively, while the control group received no intervention. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using interactive regression analysis. Results: The results indicated that both SIT and LMT significantly reduced loneliness among older adults. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons showed that loneliness scores were significantly lower and quality-of-life scores were significantly higher in both intervention groups than in the control group, while the difference between the two intervention groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, SIT and LMT appear to reduce loneliness and improve quality of life among older adults by enhancing psychological flexibility. Therefore, the application of these interventions may be beneficial in promoting psychological well‑being in later life. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction Aging is a multifactorial process and one of the most complex biological phenomena, representing a major risk factor for mortality and various diseases. Advances in nutrition, technology, and medical science have substantially increased average life expectancy. However, age‑related problems and their consequences have become important public health concerns and may play a significant role in functional limitations among older adults. In recent years, the cost of living for this population has also increased, including expenses related to medical care, housing, food, and health and pharmaceutical products. Loneliness is one of the common challenges associated with later life and can have a substantial impact on the health of older adults. It has been linked with a variety of physical and psychological disorders. In addition, quality of life (QOL) refers to an individual’s overall well‑being and life satisfaction, encompassing feelings, circumstances, and personal experiences. It reflects satisfaction with personal values, goals, and lifestyle. Improving QOL among older adults can be facilitated through educational programs, as they promote skill development, knowledge exchange, and behavioral modification. The use of psychological interventions alongside medical treatments may help older adults improve their individual and social functioning and enhance their ability to manage life challenges. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) and Lazarus Multimodal Therapy (LMT) in loneliness and QOL among older adults. Method The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of adults aged over 65 who attended a daytime care center for older adults in Sari in 2023. From this population, 45 participants were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each. The inclusion criteria were: (1) age between 65 and 85 years; (2) obtaining the required scores on the study questionnaires; (3) ability to attend training sessions; (4) relative psychological stability; (5) relatively good physical health; (6) minimum literacy at the level of reading and writing; and (7) no prior participation in similar training programs. The exclusion criteria included: (1) age below 65 years; (2) failure to obtain the required questionnaire scores; (3) absence from more than one session; (4) onset of acute illness during the study; (5) presence of severe physical illnesses such as cancer; (6) illiteracy; (7) unwillingness to continue participation; and (8) withdrawal from the study due to circumstances such as death, illness, travel, or transfer to another center. Data were collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale by Russell et al. and QOL questionnaire developed by WHO. In this study, the two experimental groups received eight 60-minute sessions of SIT (Meichenbaum) and LMT, respectively, while the control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using interactive regression analysis and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS-26. Results At the preliminary stage, the normality of the distributions of loneliness and quality of life (QOL) scores was examined separately across the three groups, namely the control group, the Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) group, and the Lazarus Multimodal Therapy (LMT) group, using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Since all p-values were greater than .05, the assumption of normality was not rejected, and therefore parametric statistical methods were used. Each group consisted of 15 participants. The descriptive statistics, including the means and standard deviations of loneliness and QOL scores at the pretest and posttest stages, are presented in Table 3. As shown in the table, loneliness scores decreased from pretest to posttest in both intervention groups, whereas QOL scores increased from pretest to posttest in these groups. In contrast, the control group showed no substantial difference between pretest and posttest scores. To compare the effects of the interventions on loneliness, the assumptions of analysis of covariance were first examined. The homogeneity of variances across the three groups was confirmed by Levene’s test, F = 0.411, p = .666. However, the assumption of homogeneity of regression slopes was violated, as the interaction between group and pretest loneliness was statistically significant, SS = 10481.20, df = 3, MS = 3493.73, F = 208.03, p = .0009, η² = 0.938. Therefore, classical ANCOVA was not used for this variable, and a regression model including the group × pretest interaction term was applied. The results of this regression model showed that the main effect of group on posttest loneliness was not statistically significant, SS = 55.43, df = 2, MS = 27.72, F = 1.71, p = .195, η² = 0.081. However, the effect of pretest loneliness was statistically significant, SS = 149.65, df = 1, MS = 149.65, F = 9.22, p = .004, η² = 0.191, and the group × pretest loneliness interaction was also statistically significant, SS = 284.02, df = 2, MS = 142.01, F = 8.75, p = .010, η² = 0.310. To further examine the significant group × pretest loneliness interaction, adjusted group means were compared at three relative levels of baseline loneliness, defined as low baseline loneliness (one standard deviation below the mean, 51.10), moderate baseline loneliness (the sample mean, 58.93), and high baseline loneliness (one standard deviation above the mean, 66.76). At the low level of baseline loneliness, Bonferroni comparisons showed significant differences between the control group and the LMT group (mean difference = 26.04, p < .001) and between the control group and the SIT group (mean difference = 24.09, p < .001), while the difference between the LMT and SIT groups was not statistically significant (mean difference = 1.95, p = 1.000). At the moderate level of baseline loneliness, significant differences were again observed between the control group and the LMT group (mean difference = 33.71, p < .001) and between the control group and the SIT group (mean difference = 31.63, p < .001), with no significant difference between the two intervention groups (mean difference = 2.07, p = .937). At the high level of baseline loneliness, significant differences were found between the control group and the LMT group (mean difference = 41.38, p < .001) and between the control group and the SIT group (mean difference = 39.18, p < .001), while the difference between the LMT and SIT groups remained non-significant (mean difference = 2.20, p = 1.000). Overall Bonferroni pairwise comparisons for loneliness also indicated that both intervention groups differed significantly from the control group, with mean differences of 31.640 (p < .001) for SIT versus control and 33.719 (p < .001) for LMT versus control, whereas the difference between the two intervention groups was not statistically significant (mean difference = 2.08, p = .937). For QOL, the assumptions of analysis of covariance were also examined. Levene’s test confirmed the homogeneity of variances across the three groups, F = 0.12, p = .886. A preliminary test of the group × pretest QOL interaction was statistically significant, SS = 10151.02, df = 3, MS = 3383.67, F = 55.76, p = .0009, η² = 0.803; therefore, a regression model including group, pretest QOL, and the group × pretest interaction term was applied. The results of the final regression model showed that the main effect of group on posttest QOL was statistically significant, SS = 1521.87, df = 2, MS = 760.94, F = 30.71, p = .0009, η² = 0.612, whereas the effect of pretest QOL was not statistically significant, SS = 36.70, df = 1, MS = 36.70, F = 1.48, p = .231, η² = 0.037, and the group × pretest QOL interaction was also not statistically significant in the final model, SS = 1.57, df = 2, MS = 0.78, F = 0.03, p = .969, η² = 0.002. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons for QOL showed that both intervention groups differed significantly from the control group, with mean differences of 30.516 (p < .01) for SIT versus control and 35.507 (p < .01) for LMT versus control, while the difference between the two intervention groups was not statistically significant (mean difference = 4.99, p = .324). Conclusion The effectiveness of SIT and LMT may be related to their influence on established cognitive and emotional patterns. SIT emphasizes adaptive self-statements, cognitive restructuring, coping skills training, and the enhancement of perceived control. Through these processes, older adults may reconsider maladaptive interpretations related to loneliness, rejection, or feelings of uselessness and shift from a passive stance toward a more active psychological orientation. LMT adopts a comprehensive approach by addressing multiple dimensions of functioning, including behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal relationships, and biological factors. This multidimensional framework allows intervention across several components of the loneliness experience. In addition to modifying maladaptive beliefs, it addresses interpersonal patterns, social skills, and behavioral activation, thereby helping to reduce emotional and interpersonal isolation. In SIT, the emphasis on cognitive restructuring, active coping strategies, and increased mastery over stressful situations may help older adults move away from focusing on limitations and instead attend to their personal strengths and internal resources. Such cognitive shifts may enhance components of life satisfaction and perceived meaning. Similarly, the multidimensional nature of LMT may facilitate changes in daily behavior, social interaction, and emotional regulation, which may contribute to improvements in individuals’ evaluation of their QOL. Ethical Consideration Ethical Code Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University, Semnan Branch (Code: IR.IAU.SEMNAN.REC.1403.064). Financial Support This study did not receive support. Authors’ Contributions M.S.T: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data Curation, Software, Formal analysis, Writing-Original Draft; K.A: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Writing-Review & Editing, Supervision; H.E: Writing-Review & Editing Conflict of Interest The author had no conflicts of interest. 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Clinical Psychology Studies, 8(32), 151–173. زمینه: سالمندی دوره‌ای از زندگی است که بر سلامت جسمی و روانی افراد تأثیر می‌گذارد و اختلالاتی نیز در سبک زندگی ایجاد می‌کند. از این رو شیوع احساس تنهایی و کاهش کیفیت زندگی در سالمندان رایج می‌باشد. در همین راستا استفاده از مداخلات روانشناختی و رسیدگی به این مسأله سطح سلامت سالمندان را افزایش می‌دهد. بنابراین پژوهش حاضر با هدف مقایسه اثربخشی آموزش ایمن‌سازی در مقابل استرس و درمان چندوجهی لازاروس بر احساس تنهایی و کیفیت زندگی سالمندان در مرکز نگهداری روزانه انجام شد. روش: پژوهش حاضر نیمه‌آزمایشی با طرح پیش‌آزمون-پس‌آزمون با گروه کنترل بود. جامعة آماری پژوهش حاضر، سالمندان بالای ۶۵ سال مراجعه‌کننده به مرکز روزانه نگهداری سالمندان شهرستان ساری در سال ۱۴۰۲ بود از بین این افراد تعداد 45 نفر به روش نمونه‌گیری در دسترس و بر اساس ملاک ورود و خروج انتخاب شدند و به طور تصادفی در سه گروه ۱۵ نفری قرار گرفتند. ابزار جمع‌آوری داده‌ها شامل پرسشنامة احساس تنهایی راسل و همکاران و پرسشنامه کیفیت‌زندگی هروی و همکاران بود. در این پژوهش دو گروه آزمایش به مدت ۸ جلسه 60 دقیقه‌ای تحت درمان آموزش ایمن‌سازی در مقابل استرس مایکنبام و درمان چند وجهی لازاروس قرار گرفتند و گروه کنترل هیچ درمانی دریافت نکرد. در نهایت داده‌ها‌ی جمع‌آوری شده با استفاده از روش تحلیل رگرسیونی تعاملی تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد که دو مداخله آموزش ایمن‌سازی در مقابل استرس مایکنبام و درمان چندوجهی لازاروس به‌طور معناداری موجب کاهش احساس تنهایی در سالمندان شدند. آزمون بنفرونی نشان داد میانگین نمرات احساس تنهایی و کیفیت زندگی در هر دو گروه مداخله بالاتر از گروه کنترل بود، تفاوت بین دو گروه مداخله غیرمعنادار بود. بحث و نتیجه‌گیری: بر اساس یافته‌های این پژوهش می‌توان گفت که آموزش ایمن‌سازی در مقابل استرس و درمان چندوجهی لازاروس با افزایش انعطاف‌پذیری روان‌شناختی بر کاهش احساس تنهایی و بهبود و افزایش کیفیت‌زندگی در سالمندان مؤثر بوده ‌است، از این رو کاربرد این نوع مداخلات می‌تواند در سالمندان مؤثر واقع شود.

https://jap.razi.ac.ir/article_4329_d14f3d1b7c86a9741b83ae0081fe701a.pdf

دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 03 21 The Effectiveness of Resistance Training on Cardiovascular Functional Indices and Perceived Stress in Older Adults اثربخشی تمرینات مقاومتی بر شاخص های عملکردی قلبی-عروقی و استرس ادراک شده در افراد سالمند 61 45 4330 10.22126/jap.2026.13355.1899 FA فرشته اقبالی گروه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران 0009-0002-5697-2231 مریم نقیب زاده گروه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران 0000-0002-4088-087X حسین شیروانی مرکز تحقیقات فیزیولوژی ورزشی، پژوهشکده سبک زندگی، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی بقیه الله ، تهران، ایران 0000-0002-0696-958X Journal Article 2025 12 13 Abstract Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of a resistance training program on cardiovascular functional indices and perceived stress in older women. Method: A quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and control group was employed. The sample consisted of 30 women aged 60 to 75 years who were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in a 6‑week resistance training program, three sessions per week, at an intensity of 60–70%, while the control group continued their usual daily activities without any exercise intervention. Cardiovascular indices, including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, resting heart rate, and rate–pressure product, were measured 48 hours before and after the intervention. Perceived stress was assessed using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS 25. Results: Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, resting heart rate, and rate–pressure product decreased significantly in the resistance training group compared with the control group (p ≤ .05). Perceived stress scores also showed a significant reduction in the resistance training group (p ≤ .05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that moderate‑intensity resistance training can serve as a safe and effective intervention for improving cardiovascular functional indices and reducing perceived stress in older women. These results highlight the important role of resistance training in promoting physical and psychological well‑being in older adults, as well as its potential application in preventive and cardiac rehabilitation programs. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction Aging is accompanied by extensive physiological, psychological, and functional changes that may increase the risk of chronic conditions, including hypertension and elevated perceived stress. Cardiovascular functional indices such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and rate–pressure product are recognized as major determinants of cardiovascular health in older adults. Moreover, perceived stress is directly associated with exacerbated physiological responses and increased cardiac workload. Given the mobility limitations and adverse effects associated with long-term pharmacological treatment in later life, non-pharmacological approaches such as resistance training using TheraBand elastic bands may serve as safe, cost-effective, and feasible interventions for improving cardiovascular indices and reducing perceived stress. Although previous studies have supported the beneficial effects of this type of exercise, limited research has simultaneously examined its impact on both hemodynamic indices and perceived stress among Iranian older women. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of a six-week TheraBand resistance training program on cardiovascular functional indices and perceived stress in older women. Method The present study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The study population consisted of women aged 60–75 years residing in Eyvan City during the first half of 2025. Thirty eligible volunteers were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). Inclusion criteria were: age between 60 and 75 years, obtaining a score above the mean on the Perceived Stress Scale, absence of medications affecting cardiovascular function, and physical capability to perform the exercise protocol. Exclusion criteria included cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal, respiratory, neurological, psychological, or musculoskeletal disorders, as well as participation in regular physical activity. Research instruments consisting of Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (1983), consisting of 14 items with a reported reliability coefficient of 0.84 in Iranian populations, and an Omron digital sphygmomanometer for measuring systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Mean arterial pressure was calculated using the standard formula. The experimental group participated in a six-week TheraBand resistance training program conducted three times per week. The training protocol consisted of six exercises, including chest press, rowing, military press, knee flexion, knee extension, and calf raises, performed in three sets of 10 repetitions at an intensity of 60–70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The control group received no intervention during the study period. Prior to statistical analyses, assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variances were assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk and Levene’s tests, respectively. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS version 25, with the significance level set at p < .05. Results Preliminary analyses confirmed the assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variances, supporting the use of parametric statistical procedures. The results of ANCOVA controlling for pretest effects are presented in Table 1. The results demonstrated that, after controlling for pretest effects, significant differences were observed between the resistance training and control groups across all study variables, including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, resting heart rate, perceived stress, and rate–pressure product (p ≤ .05). Effect size values (η²) ranged from .18 to .20, indicating moderate to large intervention effects. Overall, resistance training exerted significant beneficial effects on cardiovascular functional indices and perceived stress among older women. Conclusion The findings of the present study indicated that six weeks of TheraBand resistance training resulted in significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, resting heart rate, rate–pressure product, and perceived stress among older women. These results suggest that TheraBand resistance training, as a safe and low-cost non-pharmacological intervention, may effectively improve cardiovascular functional indices and reduce psychological stress in this population. From a physiological perspective, the reductions in blood pressure and heart rate following resistance training may be attributed to improved endothelial function and enhanced nitric oxide release, leading to decreased peripheral vascular resistance. Furthermore, increased parasympathetic tone and reduced sympathetic activity resulting from autonomic adaptations may contribute to improved regulation of heart rate and blood pressure. The simultaneous reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate directly explains the decrease in rate–pressure product as an indicator of cardiac workload. These adaptations suggest that resistance training may exert cardioprotective effects by reducing myocardial oxygen demand. Regarding the reduction in perceived stress, resistance training may modulate psychological stress responses through increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10, improved sleep quality, and enhanced social interaction. Group-based exercise may also foster self-efficacy and social support, thereby reducing feelings of loneliness and improving mood among older adults. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of resistance exercise as a safe, accessible, and effective strategy for promoting both physical and psychological well-being in later life. Ethical Consideration Ethical Code This article was derived from a Master’s thesis in Exercise Physiology at the University of Ilam and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Ilam (IR.ILAM.REC.1403.018). Funding This study received no external funding. Authors’ Contributions F.E.: Software, Validation, Formal analyses, Data Curation; M.N.: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing - Review & Editing, Project administration, Supervision; H.Sh.: Conceptualization, Writing - Review & Editing. Conflict of Interest The authors had no conflicts of interest. Acknowledgments The authors sincerely appreciate all participants for their valuable cooperation in this study. References Abbasi, s. (2024). The effectiveness of aerobic and resistance exercises on improving balance and walking in the elderly with memory impairment. Journal of Motor and Behavioral Sciences, 7(2), e197203. https://doi.org/10.22034/jmbs.2024.197203. [Persian] Afshari, A. (2024). 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Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 18(1). زمینه: این پژوهش با هدف بررسی اثر یک دوره تمرینات مقاومتی بر شاخص‌های عملکرد قلبی‌-عروقی و استرس ادراک‌شده در زنان سالمند انجام شد. روش: روش مطالعه نیمه آزمایشی و با طرح پیش‌آزمون-پس‌آزمون همراه با گروه کنترل بود. نمونه آماری شامل 20 زن سالمند ۶۰ تا ۷۵ ساله بود که به‌طور تصادفی در دو گروه آزمایش و کنترل تقسیم شدند. گروه آزمایش به مدت ۶ هفته، سه جلسه در هفته (شدت 60-70%) تمرین را انجام داد، در حالی که گروه کنترل فعالیت‌های روزمره خود را بدون مداخله ورزشی ادامه داد. شاخص‌های قلبی‌-عروقی شامل فشار خون سیستولیک، فشار خون دیاستولیک، میانگین فشار سرخرگی، ضربان قلب استراحت و حاصل‌ضرب دوگانه، ۴۸ ساعت قبل و بعد از دوره تمرینی اندازه‌گیری شد. همچنین برای سنجش استرس ادراک‌شده از پرسشنامه استرس ادراک‌شده کوهن استفاده گردید. داده‌ها با آزمون تحلیل کوواریانس تک متغیره در نرم‌افزار SPSS25 تحلیل شدند. یافته‌ها: فشار خون سیستولیک و دیاستولیک، میانگین فشار سرخرگی، ضربان قلب استراحت و حاصل‌ضرب دوگانه در گروه تمرین مقاومتی نسبت به گروه کنترل به طور معناداری کاهش یافت (05/0≥p). همچنین، نمرات استرس ادراک‌شده نیز در گروه تمرین مقاومتی به طور معناداری کاهش نشان داد (05/0≥p). بحث و نتیجه‌گیری: بر اساس یافته‌های پژوهش حاضر، تمرین مقاومتی منظم با شدت متوسط می‌تواند به عنوان یک مداخله ایمن و مؤثر برای بهبود شاخص‌های قلبی-عروقی و کاهش استرس ادراک‌شده در زنان سالمند به کار رود. این یافته‌ها نقش مهم تمرین مقاومتی را در ارتقای سلامت جسمانی و روانی سالمندان و همچنین کاربرد بالقوه آن را در برنامه‌های پیشگیری و توانبخشی قلبی برجسته می‌سازد.

https://jap.razi.ac.ir/article_4330_731edafb48fb3d4bbc208b98988cbb94.pdf

دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 04 05 The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy and Logotherapy on Death Anxiety in Older Adults مقایسه اثربخشی درمان متمرکز بر شفقت و معنادرمانی بر اضطراب مرگ سالمندان 81 63 4370 10.22126/jap.2026.13821.1915 FA یگانه پرازده گروه روان‌شناسی، واحد رودهن، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رودهن، ایران 0000-0002-9125-131X مهرداد ثابت گروه روان‌شناسی، واحد رودهن، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رودهن، ایران 0000-0002-9125-131X اشرف السادات گیتی قریشی گروه روان‌شناسی، واحد رودهن، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رودهن، ایران 0000-0003-4227-9823 بهزاد علی گوهری گروه روان‌شناسی، واحد رودهن، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رودهن، ایران 0000-0003-0671-8059 Journal Article 2025 11 16 Background: Aging is associated with numerous psychological challenges, including death anxiety, which may reduce quality of life. Compassion- and meaning-based psychotherapeutic interventions, as effective approaches for managing negative emotions, may have the potential to reduce death anxiety among older adults. Method: The present study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of older adults residing in nursing homes in Karaj in 2025. A total of 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling; however, this number decreased to 42 during the intervention. Participants were then randomly assigned to three groups: compassion-focused therapy (CFT) (n=13; 10 women and 3 men; mean age = 67.31 ± 5.44 years), meaning therapy (n=14; 10 women and 4 men; mean age=67.79 ± 3.91 years), and the control group (n=15; 11 women and 4 men; mean age = 67.27 ± 5.22 years). The interventions were delivered in eight 90-minute group sessions based on Frankl’s meaning therapy protocol and Gilbert’s CFT protocol. Death anxiety was assessed using Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale, and the data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance and the LSD post hoc test. Results: The findings showed that both CFT and meaning therapy significantly reduced death anxiety among older adults compared with the control group at the posttest and follow-up stages (p<.001). The results of the univariate analysis of covariance indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (F=98.50, p<.001). However, the results of the LSD post hoc test showed no significant difference between the effectiveness of CFT and meaning therapy (p=.096). Moreover, the significant maintenance of the intervention effects at the follow-up stage indicated the sustained effectiveness of both therapeutic approaches in reducing death anxiety among older adults. Conclusion: Therefore, it is recommended that mental health professionals use these therapeutic models to improve quality of life and reduce existential fears in this age group. These findings highlight the importance of compassion- and meaning-focused interventions in the aging process. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction Death anxiety is one of the most important psychological challenges in old age and may be associated with reduced psychological calmness, a sense of insecurity, concerns about the future, and lower quality of life. Older adults, particularly those living in residential care facilities, may be more vulnerable to death-related thoughts and emotions due to the specific conditions of this stage of life. Therefore, reducing death anxiety, as an important variable in older adults’ mental health, requires serious attention in therapeutic interventions. In this regard, compassion-focused therapy may help reduce death anxiety by decreasing self-criticism, enhancing self-kindness, and improving emotional regulation. Meaning therapy, through its emphasis on finding meaning, purpose, and value in life, may also modify older adults’ attitudes toward suffering, loss, and death and thereby reduce the intensity of death anxiety. It appears that both approaches may be effective in reducing death anxiety among older adults; however, their levels of effectiveness may not be identical, and each may influence this variable through different mechanisms. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy and meaning therapy on death anxiety among older adults. Method This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all older adults residing in private and public nursing homes in Karaj during the second half of 2025. Sampling was conducted using a convenience sampling method. Following initial screening, 45 eligible older adults were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: compassion-focused therapy, meaning therapy, and control. Due to attrition, the final number of participants was 13 in the compassion-focused therapy group, 14 in the meaning therapy group, and 15 in the control group. The inclusion criteria were age 65 years or older, sufficient physical health, a score of 24 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and willingness to participate in the study. The exclusion criteria included severe psychiatric disorder or advanced cognitive impairment, use of psychiatric medication during the previous three months, experience of severe stressful life events, and unwillingness to continue participation. The research instrument was Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale, which consists of four main subscales. The interventions included two therapeutic programs: compassion-focused therapy based on Gilbert’s protocol and meaning therapy based on Frankl’s principles. Both interventions were delivered in eight 90-minute group sessions, while the control group received no intervention. All sessions were conducted at the nursing home facilities while observing ethical principles and obtaining informed consent. For data analysis, descriptive indices were first calculated, and then analysis of covariance and the LSD test were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Results Examination of background variables showed that the groups were homogeneous in terms of age (p = .252), gender (p = .943), education (p = .835), and marital status (p = .814). The assumptions of normality (Z = .981), homogeneity of variances at posttest (p > .05) and follow-up (p > .05), and homogeneity of regression slopes at posttest (p > .05) and follow-up (p > .05) were confirmed. The results of univariate analysis of covariance at the posttest stage, after controlling for pretest scores, showed that the interventions had a significant effect on reducing death anxiety among older adults, F(2, 41) = 98.50, p < .001, η² = .82. The results of the LSD post hoc test at this stage indicated a significant reduction in death anxiety in the compassion-focused therapy group compared with the control group (mean difference = -13.35, p < .001) and in the meaning therapy group compared with the control group (mean difference = -18.11, p < .001). However, the difference between the two experimental groups was not significant (p = .096). At the follow-up stage, the results of analysis of covariance also showed a significant group difference, F (2, 41) = 79.15, p < .001, η² = .82. The LSD test confirmed the maintenance of reduced death anxiety compared with the control group for both the compassion-focused therapy group (mean difference = -12.05, p < .001) and the meaning therapy group (mean difference = -16.15, p < .001), while the difference between the two interventions remained non-significant (p = .115). Overall, both therapeutic approaches demonstrated comparable and sustained effectiveness in reducing death anxiety among older adults. Conclusion The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy and meaning therapy on death anxiety among older adults. The results showed that both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced death anxiety compared with the control group, and these effects were maintained at the follow-up stage. These findings indicate that compassion- and meaning-based psychotherapeutic interventions can play an effective role in reducing death-related existential concerns and fears among older adults and may contribute to improving mental health in this age group. In explaining these findings, compassion-focused therapy may help older adults cope more adaptively with the limitations and vulnerabilities of aging by strengthening self-kindness, reducing self-criticism, and increasing psychological safety, thereby reducing death-related anxiety. On the other hand, meaning therapy, by emphasizing the discovery of meaning and purpose in life even under difficult circumstances, may help older adults develop a more adaptive attitude toward suffering, limitation, and the end of life. Such an approach may enhance internal control and hope for life and consequently reduce fear of death. The results also showed that although the overall effectiveness of the two approaches in reducing the total score of death anxiety did not differ significantly, differences were observed in some components of death anxiety, suggesting that these two approaches may operate through different mechanisms. Overall, the findings of the present study indicate that both interventions can be used as effective and practical approaches in psychological programs within nursing homes and may help promote mental health and quality of life among older adults. Ethical Consideration Ethical Code Following ethical approval from Islamic Azad University, Roudehen Branch (IR.IAU.R.REC.1405.007) and authorization from the Alborz Welfare Organization, data collection commenced at elderly care centers in Karaj. Funding This study received no financial support. Authors’ Contributions Y.P.: Conceptualization, investigation, data curation, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing. 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Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, Article 1139700. زمینه: سالمندی با چالش‌های روان‌شناختی متعددی از جمله اضطراب مرگ همراه است که می‌تواند کیفیت زندگی را کاهش دهد. درمان‌های روان‌درمانی مبتنی بر شفقت و معنا، به‌عنوان رویکردهایی مؤثر در مدیریت هیجانات منفی، پتانسیل کاهش اضطراب مرگ را دارند. روش: پژوهش حاضر از نوع پیش‌آزمون- پس‌آزمون- پیگیری با گروه کنترل بود. جامعه آماری شامل سالمندان مقیم سراهای‌ سالمندان کرج در سال 1404 بود که ۴۵ نفر به روش در دسترس انتخاب شدند؛ این تعداد در طول مداخله به ۴۲ نفر تقلیل یافتند و به‌صورت تصادفی در سه گروه جای‌دهی شدند: درمان متمرکز بر شفقت (13 = n؛ 10 زن و 3 مرد؛ میانگین سنی31/67 ± 44/5 سال)، معنادرمانی (14 = n؛ 10 زن و 4 مرد؛ میانگین سنی 79/67 ± 91/3 سال) و گروه کنترل (15 = n؛ 11 زن و 4 مرد؛ میانگین سنی 27/67 ± 22/5 سال). مداخلات در ۸ جلسه ۹۰ دقیقه‌ای به صورت گروهی بر اساس پروتکل‌های معنادرمانی فرانکل و درمان متمرکز بر شفقت گیلبرت اجرا شد. برای سنجش اضطراب مرگ از مقیاس اضطراب مرگ تمپلر استفاده گردید و داده‌ها با تحلیل کوواریانس تک متغیری و آزمون تعقیبی LSD تحلیل شدند. یافته‌ها: یافته‌های پژوهش نشان داد که هر دو مداخله درمان متمرکز بر شفقت و معنادرمانی در مقایسه با گروه کنترل، موجب کاهش معنادار اضطراب مرگ سالمندان در مراحل پس‌آزمون و پیگیری شدند (0/001). نتایج تحلیل کوواریانس تک‌متغیری بیانگر تفاوت معنادار بین گروه‌های آزمایش و کنترل بود (0/001، 50/98 ). با این حال، نتایج آزمون تعقیبی LSD نشان داد که بین اثربخشی درمان متمرکز بر شفقت و معنادرمانی تفاوت معناداری وجود ندارد (0/096)، همچنین، تداوم معنادار اثر مداخلات در مرحله پیگیری نشان‌دهنده پایداری اثربخشی هر دو رویکرد درمانی در کاهش اضطراب مرگ سالمندان بود. بحث و نتیجه‌گیری: بنابراین پیشنهاد می‌شود متخصصان سلامت روان از این مدل‌های درمانی برای ارتقای کیفیت زندگی و کاهش ترس‌های وجودی این گروه سنی بهره‌گیری کنند. این یافته‌ها بر اهمیت مداخلات متمرکز بر شفقت و معنا در فرآیند پیری تأکید دارند.

https://jap.razi.ac.ir/article_4370_4ee4eb4ff2f06e40965368860a61cbda.pdf

دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 04 05 The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Depression in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Activities of Daily Living رابطه انزوای اجتماعی با افسردگی در سالمندان: نقش میانجی فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی 102 83 4375 10.22126/jap.2026.13680.1911 FA وحید احمدی گروه روان‌شناسی، واحد ایلام، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، ایلام، ایران 0000-0001-7597-1416 Journal Article 2025 11 24 Background: With the growing older adult population, increasing attention has been directed toward the determinants of their mental health. Depression is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders in later life, and identifying the factors associated with its development is essential for prevention, early detection, and the promotion of mental health among older adults. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the mediating role of activities of daily living (ADLs) in the relationship between social isolation and depression among older adults. Method: This correlational study employed path analysis. The study population consisted of older adults residing in nursing homes in Ilam city in 2025. A total of 180 participants (72 men and 108 women, aged 65 to 90 years) were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data collection instruments included the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Lubben Social Network Scale, and the Mahoney and Barthel ADLs Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and path analysis through SPSS and AMOS version 27. Results: The findings indicated that social isolation was associated with lower levels of daily functioning and higher levels of depression. ADLs showed a significant negative relationship with depression. Furthermore, the results of the path analysis indicated that the indirect association between social isolation and depression through ADLs was also significant (β = 0.21, p < .05). Conclusion: These results suggest that enhancing older adult’s ability to perform ADLs may alleviate the adverse effects of social isolation on depression and contribute to the maintenance of their mental health. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction The rapid growth of the older adult population is accompanied by a range of psychological health problems, including depression. Depression causes clinically significant distress and impairment in individuals’ daily lives and affects social, family, and occupational functioning. Previous studies have confirmed the association between depression and several variables, including social isolation. Various factors, such as physical health problems, loss of loved ones, and reduced social interactions, may contribute to the experience of social isolation among older adults. Although the relationship between social isolation and depression has been confirmed in numerous studies, the precise mechanism and pathway through which social isolation is associated with depression in older adults remain insufficiently understood. In this process, activities of daily living (ADLs) may represent another potentially influential variable. Evidence suggests that ADLs are associated with both social isolation and depression. However, no study has examined the underlying mechanism linking social isolation and depression or the mediating role of ADLs among older adults in Iran. Therefore, considering this gap in the research literature, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between social isolation and depression through the mediating role of ADLs in older adults. Method The present study used a correlational design based on path analysis. The statistical population consisted of all older adults aged 65 years and above residing in nursing homes in Ilam, Iran, in 2025–2026. From this population, 200 participants, including 85 men and 115 women, were selected through convenience sampling. The inclusion criteria were: (1) being 65 years of age or older, (2) having the ability to read and write, and (3) residing in nursing homes. Eligible participants completed the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, the Lubben Social Network Scale, and the Mahoney and Barthel ADLs Questionnaire. Before administering the instruments, the objectives, significance, and nature of the study were fully explained to the participants, and written informed consent was obtained from them. The criteria for exclusion from the analysis included withdrawal from participation, severe physical or psychological problems affecting the validity of responses, and incomplete completion of the research questionnaires. Of the 200 completed questionnaires, 20 incomplete questionnaires were excluded, and the data from 180 valid questionnaires were analyzed as the final study sample. Finally, the data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and path analysis in SPSS version 27 and Amos version 27. Results Before conducting the main analyses, it was confirmed that all research variables had a normal distribution. The results also indicated that the assumptions of independence of errors and absence of multicollinearity were met. To test the research hypotheses, the path coefficients among the study variables were examined. Accordingly, path analysis was used to evaluate the path coefficients. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between social isolation and depression, a negative correlation between social isolation and ADLs, and a negative correlation between ADLs and depression. The results of path analysis indicated that all direct relationships among the variables in the model were significant. In addition, the percentile bootstrap method with 5,000 resamples and a 95% confidence interval was used to estimate and test the significance of the indirect paths. The results showed that the lower and upper bounds of the confidence interval for ADLs as a mediator between social isolation and depression were 0.263 and 0.379, respectively, with statistical significance at p<.05. Therefore, the indirect relationship was significant, indicating that ADLs play a mediating role in the relationship between social isolation and depression. Conclusion In later life, factors such as reduced physical abilities, the onset of multiple illnesses, retirement, and loss of occupational roles may lead to decreased interpersonal interactions and restricted support networks. Such conditions can contribute to the development of social isolation, which, through reduced social relationships, may decrease quality of life and intensify depressive symptoms among older adults. In addition, age-related changes may reduce an individual’s ability to independently perform ADLs. Increased dependence on others may, in turn, create feelings of being a burden, reduce self-efficacy, and ultimately contribute to greater social isolation. Furthermore, limitations in performing ADLs and the continuous need for assistance from others may reinforce feelings of guilt, lower self-esteem, and perceptions of uselessness, all of which are among the well-known antecedents of depression. Ultimately, older adults with lower levels of independence in daily activities may be less able to engage in social activities comparable to those of their peers, which can negatively affect their mental health. Conversely, older adults with greater ability to perform daily activities may use this capacity as a mechanism for reducing depression through social participation, physical activity, or other strategies that promote mental health. Ethical Consideration Ethical Code Ethics approval: The present article was conducted independently after obtaining approval from the 180th meeting of the Research Council of Islamic Azad University, Ilam Branch, dated January 7, 2026. Funding This study received no financial support. Authors’ Contributions A.V: Conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing, project administration, supervision, and visualization Conflict of Interest The authors declared no conflicts of interest. 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Journal of Affective Disorders, 350, 182–187. زمینه: با افزایش جمعیت سالمندان، توجه به مؤلفه های تعیین کننده سلامت روان آنان اهمیت بیشتری یافته است. افسردگی یکی از شایع ترین اختلالات روان شناختی این دوره است و شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر آن، در پیشگیری، تشخیص زودهنگام و ارتقای سلامت روان سالمندان نقش مهمی دارد. بنابراین مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی نقش واسطه‌ای فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی در ارتباط بین انزوای اجتماعی و افسردگی در سالمندان انجام شد. روش: این پژوهش با روش همبستگی و بهره‌گیری از تحلیل مسیر صورت گرفت. جامعه آماری شامل سالمندان مراکز نگهداری شهر ایلام در سال 1404 بود، 180 نفر (72 نفر مرد و 108 نفر زن در دامنه سنی 65 تا 90 سال) به شیوه نمونه گیری در دسترس انتخاب شدند. ابزارهای اندازه گیری شامل، پرسشنامه افسردگی سالمندان یساویج، مقیاس شبکه اجتماعی لوبن و پرسشنامه فعالیت های روزمره زندگی ماهونی و بارتل بود. تحلیل داده ها با استفاده از ضریب همبستگی پیرسون و تحلیل مسیر در نرم افزارهای SPSS و Amos نسخه 27 انجام گرفت. یافته‌ها: یافته ها نشان داد که انزوای اجتماعی با کاهش سطح فعالیت های روزمره زندگی و افزایش افسردگی همراه است. همچنین فعالیتهای روزمره زندگی رابطه منفی معنی داری با افسردگی داشت. همچنین، نتایج تحلیل مسیر نشان داد که ارتباط غیرمستقیم انزوای اجتماعی با افسردگی از طریق فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی نیز معنی دار است. بحث و نتیجه‌گیری: این یافته نشان میدهد که تقویت توانایی سالمندان در انجام فعالیت های روزمره زندگی میتواند پیامدهای منفی انزوای اجتماعی در افسردگی را کاهش داده و به حفظ سلامت روان آنان کمک کند.

https://jap.razi.ac.ir/article_4375_33e787f69892a29c04f797244a3a434b.pdf

دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 03 21 The Effectiveness of Yoga Therapy on Sleep Quality, Psychological Hardiness, and Happiness in Older Women اثربخشی یوگا درمانی بر کیفیت خواب، سرسختی روان‌شناختی و شادکامی زنان سالمند 123 103 4386 10.22126/jap.2026.13702.1921 FA نگین شادکام گروه روان‌شناسی، واحد دزفول، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دزفول، ایران 0009-0004-2710-2506 لیلا مومنی گروه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی، واحد دزفول، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دزفول، ایران 0000-0002-0694-7196 داریوش رضاپور گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه پیام‌نور، تهران، ایران 0000-0002-5805-0540 Journal Article 2026 06 09 Background: With the increasing proportion of older adults in contemporary societies, concerns regarding psychological well-being and the identification of psychological resources that may contribute to improving older adults’ quality of life have become important challenges for mental health professionals. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of yoga therapy in improving sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness among older women Method: The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all older women residing in Ahvaz during the first half of 2025. The study sample comprised 30 women aged 65 to 75 years who were selected through convenience sampling based on the study inclusion criteria and randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group received yoga therapy over a four-week period, with three 60-minute sessions per week. The instruments used in the study were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Kobasa Psychological Hardiness Scale, and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 22. Results: The results showed that, after controlling for pretest scores, significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups at posttest in sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness (p < .001). Conclusion: Based on these findings, yoga therapy appears to improve sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness among older women, offering promising potential for psychological interventions and supporting its use as an effective intervention for promoting these outcomes in this population. EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction Aging is a universal and inevitable process that begins at conception and continues throughout the lifespan. All living organisms experience aging, and old age is generally considered to begin after the age of 60. In many countries worldwide, the population growth rate of older adults exceeds that of other age groups. This demographic trend is particularly pronounced among women, whose life expectancy is approximately six to eight years longer than that of men. Accordingly, greater attention to the psychological well-being of older women is warranted. In particular, psychological variables such as sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness may play an important role in maintaining and promoting mental health in later life. Given the numerous challenges faced by older women and the need to identify appropriate and effective interventions for this population, considerable attention should be devoted to interventions and educational programs aimed at promoting their psychological well-being and strengthening the psychological resources required to cope with the stressful experiences associated with aging. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, the effectiveness of yoga therapy in simultaneously improving happiness, sleep quality, and psychological hardiness among older women has not previously been investigated. Therefore, the present study tested the following hypotheses: (1) yoga therapy is effective in improving sleep quality among older women; (2) yoga therapy is effective in enhancing psychological hardiness among older women; and (3) yoga therapy is effective in increasing happiness among older women. Method This applied study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all women aged 65 to 75 years residing in Ahvaz, Iran, during the first half of 2025. Using convenience sampling, 30 older women who met the study eligibility criteria were selected and randomly assigned in equal numbers to an experimental group and a control group. The inclusion criteria were a score above 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, scores below the mean on the happiness and psychological hardiness measures, age above 65 years, and possession of at least a high-school diploma. The exclusion criteria included simultaneous participation in another therapeutic intervention and the presence of severe cognitive impairment. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index developed by Buysse et al. (1989), the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire developed by Argyle et al. (1989), and the Psychological Hardiness Questionnaire developed by Kobasa et al. (1982). The intervention protocol was adapted from the yoga therapy program developed by Saraswati and Saraswati (1998). The experimental group participated in twelve 60-minute yoga therapy sessions, held three times per week and administered by a psychotherapy specialist. Each session included an introduction to the session objectives and topics, group discussion, and practical exercises. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 22. The mean age was 67.4 years in the experimental group and 67.2 years in the control group. Ethical considerations included obtaining written informed consent, maintaining the confidentiality of participants' personal information, covering participants' transportation expenses, and providing yoga therapy to the control group after completion of the study. Results At pretest, the mean scores for sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness were generally comparable between the experimental and control groups. Following the intervention, however, improvements were observed in all three outcome variables in the experimental group. Given the study design, univariate ANCOVA was used to examine the primary outcomes. Before conducting the analyses, the relevant statistical assumptions were evaluated. Levene's test was used to assess the homogeneity of variances between the two groups. The results were not statistically significant for any of the study variables, indicating that the assumption of homogeneity of variance was satisfied. The assumption of homogeneity of regression slopes was also examined by testing the interaction between group membership and the pretest score for each dependent variable in predicting its corresponding posttest score. The interaction effects were reported as non-significant at the .05 level for sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness. In addition, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the dependent variables. The results indicated no statistically significant deviations from normality at the .05 level. Therefore, the assumptions required for conducting ANCOVA were considered to have been met. The results of the univariate ANCOVAs examining the effectiveness of yoga therapy on sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness are presented in Table 1. The results indicated statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness after controlling for the corresponding pretest scores. In other words, compared with the control group, participants in the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness following the yoga therapy intervention. Therefore, all three study hypotheses were supported. Conclusion The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of yoga therapy in improving sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness among older women. The findings indicated that yoga therapy contributed to significant improvements in all three outcomes. Yoga techniques may help older adults shift their attention away from merely attempting to eliminate or suppress unpleasant symptoms and toward developing a more meaningful and valued life. Through such practices, individuals may learn to observe and accept their thoughts, emotions, memories, and bodily sensations without judgment or the need to defend themselves against these experiences. Yoga therapy may also promote psychological flexibility by helping older adults become less rigidly governed by their thoughts and internal rules and, instead, develop more adaptive ways of interacting with their environment. The findings suggest that yoga therapy may be regarded as a potentially useful intervention for improving sleep quality, strengthening psychological hardiness, and enhancing happiness among older women. Nevertheless, the results should be interpreted in light of several limitations. These included the purposive nature of participant selection, the absence of a follow-up assessment, and the exclusive inclusion of older women. Future studies should incorporate longer follow-up periods to determine the durability of the effects of yoga therapy on sleep quality, psychological hardiness, and happiness. Moreover, because the present study included only older women, similar research should be conducted among older men to improve the generalizability of the findings. Ethical Consideration Ethical Code This article was derived from the first author's master's thesis in personality psychology at the Dezful Branch of Islamic Azad University. Funding This study received no financial support. Authors’ Contributions N. Sh.: Conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, visualization. L. 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Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal, 12(4), 375-383. https://jsmj.ajums.ac.ir/article_49760.html?lang=en [Persian] زمینه: با افزایش قشر سالمند در عصر کنونی، دغدغههای مرتبط با بهزیستی روانی و یافتن روابط بین منابع روان‌شناختی که بتواند به بهبود کیفیت زندگی سالمندان یاری رساند، از چالشهای مهم متخصصان بهداشت روانی است. بنابراین این مطالعه با هدف اثربخشی یوگادرمانی بر کیفیت‌ خواب، سرسختی‌روان‌شناختی و شادکامی زنان سالمند انجام شد. روش: روش پژوهش نیمه‌آزمایشی با طرح پیش‌آزمون-پس‌آزمون با گروه گواه بود. جامعه آماری پژوهش تمامی زنان سالمند شهر اهواز در نیمه اول سال 1404 بودند. حجم نمونه پژوهش شامل 30 نفر از این زنان سالمند (65 تا 75 ساله) بود که با روش نمونه‌گیری دردسترس و بر اساس معیارهای ورود به مطالعه انتخاب و به‌طور تصادفی در دو گروه آزمایش و گواه گمارش شدند. گروه آزمایش یوگا درمانی را طی چهار هفته و هر هفته سه جلسه 60 دقیقه‌ای دریافت نمودند. مقیاس‎های مورد استفاده در این پژوهش شامل کیفیت‌خواب پیتزبورگ، سرسختی روان‌شناختی کوباسا و مقیاس شادکامی آکسفورد بود. یافته‌ها: داده‌ها با تحلیل کوواریانس تک‌متغیره، با استفاده از نرم‌افزارSPSS نسخه 22 مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفتند. نتایج نشان داد که با کنترل اثر پیش‌آزمون در مرحله پس‌آزمون بین دو گروه آزمایش و گواه در متغیرهای کیفیت خواب، سرسختی روان‌شناختی و شادکامی تفاوت معناداری وجود دارد (0/001>P). بحث و نتیجه‌گیری: بر اساس یافته‌های این مطالعه، یوگا درمانی سبب بهبود کیفیت‌خواب، سرسختی‌روان‌شناختی و شادکامی سالمندان زن می‌شود و نمایانگر افق‌های تازه‌ای در مداخلات روان‌شناختی است و می‌توان از آن به‌عنوان یک روش مداخله‌ای مؤثر در بهبود کیفیت‌ خواب، سرسختی روان‌شناختی و شادکامی سالمندان زن استفاده کرد.

https://jap.razi.ac.ir/article_4386_9f6f919b0d766b15dec22aded07a47a6.pdf

دانشگاه رازی روان‌شناسی پیری 2423-7647 12 1 2026 03 21 Social alienation and psychological capital in predicting psychological distress in the elderly: The mediating role of self-neglect بیگانگی اجتماعی و سرمایه‌های روان‌شناختی در پیش‌بینی پریشانی روان‌شناختی سالمندان: نقش میانجی خود غفلتی 4334 10.22126/jap.2026.13612.1907 FA شیرین احمدی گروه روان‌شناسی، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه حکیم سبزواری 0000-0003-0189-9575 مهشید کیوانلو مشاوره، علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران 0000-0002-4831-6675 حانیه سعیدی مشاوره، علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران 0000-0001-5439-1762 Journal Article 2026 02 14 Psychological distress among the elderly is a significant mental health challenge influenced by various individual and social factors. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate social alienation and psychological capital in predicting psychological distress in the elderly with the mediating role of self-neglect. The present study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of method, using structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this study included all elderly people referring to rehabilitation centers in Mashhad in the summer of 2024. 280 people (90 men and 190 women) were selected from these people using convenience sampling method and responded to the psychological distress questionnaires of Kessler et al., self-neglect of Wang et al., social alienation of Jessor et al., and psychological capitals of Luthans et al. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS 26 and LISREL 8.8. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that social alienation has a direct, positive, and significant effect on psychological distress. Furthermore, psychological capital showed a direct, negative, and significant effect on psychological distress. Regarding indirect effects, the findings revealed that social alienation has an indirect, positive, and significant effect on psychological distress through self-neglect. Similarly, psychological capital demonstrated an indirect, negative, and significant effect on psychological distress through self-neglect. Overall, based on the findings, designing and evaluating practical interventions that enhance the psychological capital of the elderly while reducing self-neglect and psychological distress represents an important and applicable direction for future research. پریشانی روان‌شناختی در سالمندان یکی از چالش‌های مهم سلامت روان است که تحت تأثیر عوامل فردی و اجتماعی متعددی قرار دارد؛ بنابراین پژوهش حاضر با هدف بیگانگی اجتماعی و سرمایه‌های روان‌شناختی در پیش‌بینی پریشانی روان‌شناختی سالمندان با نقش میانجی خود غفلتی انجام گرفت. پژوهش حاضر از لحاظ هدف، کاربردی و از نظر روش، توصیفی از نوع همبستگی با استفاده از مدل‌یابی معادلات ساختاری بود. جامعه آماری این پژوهش شامل تمامی سالمندان مراجعه کننده به مراکز توان‌بخشی شهر مشهد در تابستان ۱۴۰4 بود. تعداد 280 نفر (90 مرد و 190 زن) از این افراد به روش نمونه‌گیری در دسترس انتخاب و به پرسش‌نامه‌های‌ پریشانی روان‌شناختی کسلر و همکاران، خود غفلتی وانگ و همکاران، بیگانگی اجتماعی جسور و همکاران و سرمایه‌های روان‌شناختی لوتانز و همکاران پاسخ دادند. تحلیل داده‌ها با روش مدل‌یابی معادلات ساختاری در نرم‌افزار SPSS.26 و Lisrel.8.8 انجام شد. نتایج تحلیل مدل ساختاری نشان داد که بیگانگی اجتماعی اثر مستقیم، مثبت و معناداری بر پریشانی روان‌شناختی دارد، همچنین سرمایه‌های روان‌شناختی اثر مستقیم و منفی معناداری بر پریشانی روان‌شناختی نشان دادند. در بخش تأثیرات غیرمستقیم، نتایج نشان داد که بیگانگی اجتماعی از طریق خودغفلتی اثر غیرمستقیم، مثبت و معناداری بر پریشانی روان‌شناختی دارد همچنین سرمایه‌های روان‌شناختی از طریق خودغفلتی اثر غیرمستقیم، منفی و معناداری بر پریشانی روان‌شناختی نشان دادند. به طور کلی با توجه به یافته‌ها، طراحی و ارزیابی مداخلات عملی که سرمایه‌های روان‌شناختی سالمندان را تقویت کرده و در مقابل، خودغفلتی و پریشانی روان‌شناختی را کاهش می‌دهند، مسیری مهم و کاربردی برای پژوهش‌های آتی به شمار می‌رود.