The Effectiveness of the Self-Compassion Training on Life Satisfaction and Resilience of the Elderly Women

The ageing period is associated with losses, such as loss of social status, spouse, and so on, which reduces the resilience of the elderly against the difficulties and hardships of life, in turn, reduces life satisfaction in the elderly. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to survey the effectiveness of the self-compassion training on life satisfaction and resilience of the elderly women. This quasi-experimental study was of pretest-posttest and control group design with a follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all the elderly women (about 500) who were under rehabilitation, education and care in nursing homes as well as rehabilitation, education and care centers supervising by welfare-organization in Guilan, Iran in 2020. A sample of 30 individuals were selected using purposeful sampling method along with inclusion and exclusion criteria, and randomly assigned into two groups with 15 members in each. The experimental group received eight sessions of Gilbert ̓s self-compassion training and control group received no intervention at the same time. Participants were evaluated using Diener et al.’s Life Satisfaction Questionnaire and Conner & Davidson’s Resilience Questionnaire. Used to analyze the data was Univariate Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results of revealed that self-compassion increased life satisfaction and resilience of the elderly women and this increase was permanent in the follow-up step (P<0.05). Therefore, based on the findings, self-compassion training can be used as an effective model in nursing homes to promote resilience, life satisfaction and positive psychological characteristics of the elderly women.

References
Ahern, N. R., Kiehl, E. M., Sole, M. L., & Byers, J. (2006). A review of instruments measuring resilience. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 29, 103-125. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01460860600677643
Alidaei, S., & Ebrahimi moghadam, H. (2014). Investigating the Role of Hopefulness and Personal Well-being in Life Satisfaction of the Elderly in Tehran. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 5(17), 103-116. [Persian]
Alinasab, S., Shahgholian, M., & Farahani, M.T. (2017). Relationship between extraversion/ neuroticism and mental well-being: The mediating role of mindfulness" Journal ofPsychological Health Research, 11(1), 1-12. [Persian]
Arshi, M., Dalirian, S., Eghlima, M., & Shrinbayan, P. (2015). The effectiveness of group social work forgiveness intervention on the life satisfaction of the elderly living in care institutions. Iranian journal of ageing, 10(4), 174-181. [Persian]
Baharvandi, B., Kazemian Moghadam, K., & Haroon Rashidi, H. (2020). The Effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy on ambiguity tolerance and death anxiety in the elderly. Aging Psychology, 6(1), 13-26. [Persian]


Haroon Rashidi, H., & bahiraei, M. (2020). The Effectiveness of Positivism Training on the Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in the Elderly Men. Aging Psychology, 6(2), 179-189. [Persian]
Baker, D. A., Caswell, H. L., & Eccles, F. J.R. (2019). Self-compassion and depression, anxiety, and resilience in adults with epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 90(2019), 154–161 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.11.025
Center for policy on ageing, CPA. (2014). Resilience in Older Age, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA P, 1-45. http://www.cpa.org.uk/
Combes-Malcome, L. A. (2007). Beginning teachers, resilience and retention. Doctoral Dissertation, San Marcos: Texas State University.
Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety 18 (2), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113
Dehghan, K., Shariamadar, A., & Kalanar hormozi, A. (2015). effectiveness of life review therapy on death anxiety and life satisfaction of old women of Tehran.culture Counseling,6 (22),15-39. [Persian]
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
Farokhzadian, A., & Mirderekvand, F. (2017). The Effectiveness of self-compassion focused therapy on increase of psychological well-being and reduction of depression in the elderly. Aging psychology, 3 (4), 293-302. [Persian]
 Gard, T., Brach, N., Hölzel, B. K., Noggle, J. J., Conboy, L. A., & Lazar, S. W. (2012): Effects of a yoga-based intervention for young adults on quality of life and perceived stress: The potential mediating roles of mindfulness and self-compassion. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 7, 165– 175. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.667144
Gilbert, P. (2016). Compassion-focused therapy (translated by Mehrnoush Esbati and Ali Faizi). First Edition, Tehran, Ibn Sina Publications. (Original language release date, 2009). [Persian]
Homan, K. (2016). Self-compassion and psychological well-being in older adults. Journal of Adult Development,23 (2),111–119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-016-9227-8
 Kim, C., & Ko, H. (2018). The impact of self-compassion on mental health, sleep, quality of life and life satisfaction among older adults. Journal of Geriatric Nursing, 39 (6), 623-628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.06.005
Keye, M. D., & Pidgeon, A.M. (2013). An Investigation of the Relationship between Resilience, Mindfulness, and Academic Self-Efficacy. Published Online November 2013 in SciRes, Open Journal of Social Sciences. 1(6), 1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2013.16001
Keykhosravi Beygzadeh, Z., Rezaei, A., & Khalouei, Y. (2015). The Relationship Between Social Support and Life Satisfaction with Happiness Among Home-Dwelling Older Adults in Shiraz Iranian Journal of Ageing, 10(2), 172-179. [Persian]
 Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., Allen, A. B., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: The implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(5), 887- 904. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022- 3514.92.5.887
Mak, W. W., Ng, I. S., & Wong, C. C. (2011). Resilience: Enhancing well-being through the positive cognitive triad. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(4), 610–617. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025195
 Mantelou, A., & Karakasidou, E. (2017). The Effectiveness of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention Program on Self-Compassion, Positive and Negative Affect and Life Satisfaction. Psychology, 8(4), 590- 610. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/psych.2017.84038
Mohammadi, M. (1384). Investigating the Factors Affecting Resilience in People at Risk of Substance Abuse (Unpublished PhD Thesis). University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran.
Naderi, F., & Esmaeli, A. (2008). Death anxiety and suicide ideation with well-being in students. The Journal of New findings in Psychology, 2(8), 35-46. [Persian]
 Neff, D. K. (2003a). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032
Neff, K.D., & McGehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self Identity, 9 (2010), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860902979307
 Ong, A. D., & Bergeman, C. S., Bisconti, T. L., & Wallace, K. A. (2006). Psychological resilience, positive emotions, and successful adaptation to stress in later life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(4), 730–749. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-3514.91.4.730 
 Perez-Blasco, J., Sales, A., Meléndez, J. C., & Mayordomo, T. (2016). The Effects of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion on Improving the Capacity to Adapt to Stress Situations in Elderly People Living in the Community. Clinical Gerontologist, 39(2), 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2015.1120253
Richardson, G. E., Neiger, B.L., Jensen, S., & Kumpfer, K. L. (1990). The resilience model. Health Education, 21, 33-39 https://doi.org/10.1080/00970050.1990.10614589
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (2003). Flourishing under fire: Resilience as a prototype of challenged thriving. In C. L. M. Keyes, & J. Haidt (Eds.), Positive psychology and the life well-lived (pp. 15-36). APA. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/10594-001
Sartipzade, A., Ali-Akbari, M., & Tabaian, R. (2016). Effectiveness of spirituality therapy on the resiliency of the elderly in Isfahan; Iran. Journal of Behavioral Sciences Research,14(1), 56-63. [Persian]
Schimmack, U., Radhakrishnan, P., Oishi, S., Dzokoto, V., & Ahadi, S. (2002). Culture, personality, and subjective well-being: Integrating process models of life satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(4), 582–593. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.4.582
Seyyedjafari, J., Jeddi, M., Mousavi, R., Hoseyni, E., & Shakibmehr, M. (2019). The Effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy on elderly life expectancy. Journal of Aging Psychology, 5(2), 157- 168. [Persian]
Shafiei, M., Akbari, S., & Heidarirad, H. (2018). The Effectiveness of Self- Compassion Training on the Loneliness and resilience destitute women. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 5 (6), 71-84. [Persian]
Sheivandi, K., Naeimi, E., & Farshad, M. R. (2016): structural model of self-compassion and psychological well-being, self-esteem and body image among female students of Shiraz University with mediator. Journal of clinical psychology studies, 6(24), 115-132. [Persian]
Southwick S.M., Lowthert B.T., & Graber A.V. (2016). Relevance and Application of Logotherapy to Enhance Resilience to Stress and Trauma. In: Batthyány A. (eds.) Logotherapy and Existential Analysis. Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Proceedings of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna, 1, 131-149. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29424-7_13
 State Welfare Organization of Iran (2019): National Council of the Elderly, Statistics of the Elderly, accessible on, www.behzisty.ir. [Persian]
 Sünbüla, Z. A., & Güneri, O. Y. (2019). The relationship between mindfulness and resilience: The mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in a sample of underprivileged Turkish adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 139, 337–342. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.12.009
 Svendsen, J. L., Kvernenes, Katrine V., Wiker, A. S. & Dundas, I. (2016). Mechanisms of mindfulness: Rumination and self- Compassion. Journal of Nordic Psychology, 69 (2), 71-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/19012276.2016.1171730
 Yang, Y., Zhang, M., & Kou, Y. (2016). Self-compassion and life satisfaction: The mediating role of hope. Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 91–95. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.086
 Yarnell, L. M., Stafford, R. E., Neff, K. D., Reilly, E.D., Knox, M. C., & Mullarkey, M (2015). Meta-Analysis of Gender Differences in Self-Compassion. Journal of Self and Identity,14(5), 499- 520. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2015.1029966
 Zahednejad, S., Fazeli, Y., Rezaei, H., & Haghighizadeh, M. H. (2015). Association of Coping Strategies and Religiosity with Life Satisfaction of Old People Living in Nursing Homes of Ahvaz City, Iran, Iranian Journal of Ageing, 10 (4), 30-38. [Persian]