Psychological Well-Being in the Elderly: The Role of Self-Compassion and Alexithymia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Women Research Center, AlZahra University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Psychological well-being decreases in the elderly, which in turn may affect the risk of disease. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the psychological well-being of the elderly and identify the factors associated with it. Accordingly, the present study was to consider the role of self-compassion and alexithymia in the psychological well-being of the elderly. The method of the present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population included all the elderly living in nursing homes of Qazvin in the summer of 2020, among whome 92 people were selected using convenience sampling based on Krejcie and Morgan table. They completed the self-compassion scale (Neff), alexithymia scale (Bagbi et al.) and psychological well-being scale-short form (Ryff). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression test were used to analyze the data in SPSS software version 24 at the significance level of 0.05. The results showed that there was a direct and significant relationship between self-compassion (r=0.8) and its components with psychological well-being (p < 0.01), as well as a significant inverse relationship between alexithymia (r=-0.777) and its components with psychological well-being (p < 0.01). Besides, alexithymia and self-compassion explained 75.3% of the variance of psychological well-being. Therefore, counsellors and psychologists working in the field of elderly are recommended to enhance the psychological well-being of the elderly through using measures for the improvement of their self-compassion and the decrease of their alexithymia.

References
Abolfathi Momtaz, Y., Ansari, M., & Foroughan, M. (2020). The Effectiveness of humor training on the elderly’s well-being. Aging Psychology, 6(2), 119-130. [Persian]
Azarbw, M., & Sajjadi, N. (2018). Role of the meaning of life, self-compassion and psychological capital in predicting psychological well-being of seniors in the elderly. Journal of Geriatric Nursing, 4(4), 0-0. [Persian]
Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale—I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of psychosomatic research38(1), 23-32.
Basharpoor, S., Almardani Someeh, S., & Shahmohammadzadeh, Y. (2015). The Role of alexithymia and emotional expressivity in predicting somatization symptoms among students of Mohaghegh Ardabili University during 2014-2015. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 13(10), 961-972. [Persian].

Besharat, M. A. (2012). The mediating role of defense mechanisms in the relationship between attachment styles and alexithymia. Journal of Applied Psychology, 6(1), 7-22. [Persian].
Besharat, M. A., & Ganji, P. (2012). The moderating role of attachment styles on the relationship of alexithymia with marital satisfaction. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 14(56), 35-324. [Persian].
Crous, G. (2017). Child psychological well-being and its associations with material deprivation and type of home. Children and Youth Services Review, 80(8), 88-95.
Dehghanpour, M., & Seraj Khorami, N. (2017). A Study of the relationship between alexithymia and emotional intelligence and psychological well-being of the nurses of a military hospital. Journal of military Psychology, 8(30), 39-50. [Persian].
Erkutlu, H. (2014). Exploring the moderating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between narcissism and psychological well-being. Social and Behavioral Sciences150(8), 1148-1156.
Han, W., & Shibusawa, T. (2015). Trajectory of physical health, cognitive status, and psychological well-being among Chinese elderly. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics60(1), 168-177.
Hanley, A. W., Baker, A. K., & Garland, E. L. (2017). Self-interest may not be entirely in the interest of the self: Association between selflessness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences117(9), 166-171.
Heintzelman, S. J., & Diener, E. (2019). Subjective well-being, social interpretation, and relationship thriving. Journal of Research in Personality, 78(2), 93-105.
Homan, K. J. (2016). Self-compassion and psychological well-being in older adults. Journal of Adult Development23(2), 111-119.
Imtiaz, S. (2016). Rumination, optimism, and psychological well-being among the elderly: self-compassion as a predictor. Journal of Behavioural Sciences26(1), 32-50.
Karukivi, M. (2011). Associations between alexithymia and mental well-being in adolescents.
Khanjani, M., Shahidi, S., Fathabadi, J., Mazaheri, M. A., & Shokri, O. (2014). Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Ryff’s scale of psychological well-being, short form (18-item) among male and female students. Thoughts and Behavior in Clinical Psychology, 9(32), 27-36. [Persian].
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and psychological measurement, 30(3), 607-610.
Krieger, T., Altenstein, D., Baettig, I., Doerig, N., & Holtforth, M. G. (2013). Self-compassion in depression: Associations with depressive symptoms, rumination, and avoidance in depressed outpatients. Behavior therapy44(3), 501-513.
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and identity2(2), 85-101.
Neff, K. D. (2009). The role of self-compassion in development: A healthier way to relate to oneself. Human development52(4), 211-214.
Nezamdoust Sedehi, M., Borjali, A., poursharifi, h., Kraskian Mujembari, A., & Seirafi, M. (2018). The Relationship between hope and sense of coherence with psychosocial well-being among older people: Mediating role of attitude toward death. Aging Psychology, 4(3), 179-195. [Persian].
Nicolò, G., Semerari, A., Lysaker, P. H., Dimaggio, G., Conti, L., D'Angerio, S., & Carcione, A. (2011). Alexithymia in personality disorders: Correlations with symptoms and interpersonal functioning. Psychiatry research190(1), 37-42.
Pailler, S., & Tsaneva, M. (2018). The effects of climate variability on psychological well-being in India. World Development106(5), 15-26.
Parker, J. D., Taylor, G. J., & Bagby, R. M. (2001). The relationship between emotional intelligence and alexithymia. Personality and Individual differences30(1), 107-115.
Rahimi Pour, M., & Karami, E. (2014). The Mediating role of spiritual intelligence with psychological well-being and life satisfaction in Mehriz elderly people. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3(3), 72-81. [Persian].
Rajabi, G., & Maghami, E. (2015). Self-compassion as mediator between attachment dimensions with mental well-being: A path analysis model. Quarterly Journal of Health Psychology, 4(16), 79-96. [Persian].
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology57(6), 1069-1081.
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2006). Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social science research35(4), 1103-1119.
Sadeghi, M., & Bavazin, F. (2019). Loneliness in the elderly: Prediction based on mental well-being, psychological capital and spiritual intelligence. Aging Psychology, 5(1), 41-51. [Persian].
Sadri Damirchi, E., Akbari, T., Mojarad, A., & Behbuei, S. (2019). The Role of stroop performance in predicting sleep quality and quality of life in the elderly. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing, 13(5), 564-575. [Persian].
Sanderson, W. C., & Scherbov, S. (2015). Faster increases in human life expectancy could lead to slower population aging. PloS one10(4), 1-9.
Shahbazi, M., Rajabi, G., Maghami, E., & Jolodari, A. (2015). Confirmatory factor analysis of the Persian version of the self-compassion rating scale-revised. Journal of Psychological Models and Methods, 6(19), 31-46. [Persian].
Sohrabi, M., Abedanzade, R., Shetab Boushehri, N., Parsaei, S., & Jahanbakhsh, H. (2017). The Relationship between psychological well-being and mental toughness among elders: Mediator role of physical activity. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing, 11(4), 538-549. [Persian].
Swart, M., Kortekaas, R., & Aleman, A. (2009). Dealing with feelings: characterization of trait alexithymia on emotion regulation strategies and cognitive-emotional processing. PloS one4(6), 1-7.
Varaee, P., Momeni, K., & Moradi, A. (2017). The Prediction of psychological well-being based on religiosity and self-compassion in the elderly. Aging Psychology, 3(1), 45-54. [Persian].
Varaee, P., Momeni, K., & Moradi, A. (2020). Mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between attitude toward religion and psychological well-being in the elderly. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 9(1), 49-62.  [Persian].
Webel, A. R., Wantland, D., Rose, C. D., Kemppainen, J., Holzemer, W. L., Chen, W.T., & Chaiphibalsarisdi, P. (2015). A cross-sectional relationship between social capital, self-compassion, and perceived HIV symptoms. Journal of pain and symptom management50(1), 59-68.

Keywords


References
Abolfathi Momtaz, Y., Ansari, M., & Foroughan, M. (2020). The Effectiveness of humor training on the elderly’s well-being. Aging Psychology, 6(2), 119-130. [Persian]
Azarbw, M., & Sajjadi, N. (2018). Role of the meaning of life, self-compassion and psychological capital in predicting psychological well-being of seniors in the elderly. Journal of Geriatric Nursing, 4(4), 0-0. [Persian]
Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale—I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of psychosomatic research38(1), 23-32.
Basharpoor, S., Almardani Someeh, S., & Shahmohammadzadeh, Y. (2015). The Role of alexithymia and emotional expressivity in predicting somatization symptoms among students of Mohaghegh Ardabili University during 2014-2015. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 13(10), 961-972. [Persian].
Besharat, M. A. (2012). The mediating role of defense mechanisms in the relationship between attachment styles and alexithymia. Journal of Applied Psychology, 6(1), 7-22. [Persian].
Besharat, M. A., & Ganji, P. (2012). The moderating role of attachment styles on the relationship of alexithymia with marital satisfaction. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 14(56), 35-324. [Persian].
Crous, G. (2017). Child psychological well-being and its associations with material deprivation and type of home. Children and Youth Services Review, 80(8), 88-95.
Dehghanpour, M., & Seraj Khorami, N. (2017). A Study of the relationship between alexithymia and emotional intelligence and psychological well-being of the nurses of a military hospital. Journal of military Psychology, 8(30), 39-50. [Persian].
Erkutlu, H. (2014). Exploring the moderating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between narcissism and psychological well-being. Social and Behavioral Sciences150(8), 1148-1156.
Han, W., & Shibusawa, T. (2015). Trajectory of physical health, cognitive status, and psychological well-being among Chinese elderly. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics60(1), 168-177.
Hanley, A. W., Baker, A. K., & Garland, E. L. (2017). Self-interest may not be entirely in the interest of the self: Association between selflessness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences117(9), 166-171.
Heintzelman, S. J., & Diener, E. (2019). Subjective well-being, social interpretation, and relationship thriving. Journal of Research in Personality, 78(2), 93-105.
Homan, K. J. (2016). Self-compassion and psychological well-being in older adults. Journal of Adult Development23(2), 111-119.
Imtiaz, S. (2016). Rumination, optimism, and psychological well-being among the elderly: self-compassion as a predictor. Journal of Behavioural Sciences26(1), 32-50.
Karukivi, M. (2011). Associations between alexithymia and mental well-being in adolescents.
Khanjani, M., Shahidi, S., Fathabadi, J., Mazaheri, M. A., & Shokri, O. (2014). Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Ryff’s scale of psychological well-being, short form (18-item) among male and female students. Thoughts and Behavior in Clinical Psychology, 9(32), 27-36. [Persian].
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and psychological measurement, 30(3), 607-610.
Krieger, T., Altenstein, D., Baettig, I., Doerig, N., & Holtforth, M. G. (2013). Self-compassion in depression: Associations with depressive symptoms, rumination, and avoidance in depressed outpatients. Behavior therapy44(3), 501-513.
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and identity2(2), 85-101.
Neff, K. D. (2009). The role of self-compassion in development: A healthier way to relate to oneself. Human development52(4), 211-214.
Nezamdoust Sedehi, M., Borjali, A., poursharifi, h., Kraskian Mujembari, A., & Seirafi, M. (2018). The Relationship between hope and sense of coherence with psychosocial well-being among older people: Mediating role of attitude toward death. Aging Psychology, 4(3), 179-195. [Persian].
Nicolò, G., Semerari, A., Lysaker, P. H., Dimaggio, G., Conti, L., D'Angerio, S., & Carcione, A. (2011). Alexithymia in personality disorders: Correlations with symptoms and interpersonal functioning. Psychiatry research190(1), 37-42.
Pailler, S., & Tsaneva, M. (2018). The effects of climate variability on psychological well-being in India. World Development106(5), 15-26.
Parker, J. D., Taylor, G. J., & Bagby, R. M. (2001). The relationship between emotional intelligence and alexithymia. Personality and Individual differences30(1), 107-115.
Rahimi Pour, M., & Karami, E. (2014). The Mediating role of spiritual intelligence with psychological well-being and life satisfaction in Mehriz elderly people. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3(3), 72-81. [Persian].
Rajabi, G., & Maghami, E. (2015). Self-compassion as mediator between attachment dimensions with mental well-being: A path analysis model. Quarterly Journal of Health Psychology, 4(16), 79-96. [Persian].
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology57(6), 1069-1081.
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2006). Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social science research35(4), 1103-1119.
Sadeghi, M., & Bavazin, F. (2019). Loneliness in the elderly: Prediction based on mental well-being, psychological capital and spiritual intelligence. Aging Psychology, 5(1), 41-51. [Persian].
Sadri Damirchi, E., Akbari, T., Mojarad, A., & Behbuei, S. (2019). The Role of stroop performance in predicting sleep quality and quality of life in the elderly. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing, 13(5), 564-575. [Persian].
Sanderson, W. C., & Scherbov, S. (2015). Faster increases in human life expectancy could lead to slower population aging. PloS one10(4), 1-9.
Shahbazi, M., Rajabi, G., Maghami, E., & Jolodari, A. (2015). Confirmatory factor analysis of the Persian version of the self-compassion rating scale-revised. Journal of Psychological Models and Methods, 6(19), 31-46. [Persian].
Sohrabi, M., Abedanzade, R., Shetab Boushehri, N., Parsaei, S., & Jahanbakhsh, H. (2017). The Relationship between psychological well-being and mental toughness among elders: Mediator role of physical activity. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing, 11(4), 538-549. [Persian].
Swart, M., Kortekaas, R., & Aleman, A. (2009). Dealing with feelings: characterization of trait alexithymia on emotion regulation strategies and cognitive-emotional processing. PloS one4(6), 1-7.
Varaee, P., Momeni, K., & Moradi, A. (2017). The Prediction of psychological well-being based on religiosity and self-compassion in the elderly. Aging Psychology, 3(1), 45-54. [Persian].
Varaee, P., Momeni, K., & Moradi, A. (2020). Mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between attitude toward religion and psychological well-being in the elderly. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 9(1), 49-62.  [Persian].
Webel, A. R., Wantland, D., Rose, C. D., Kemppainen, J., Holzemer, W. L., Chen, W.T., & Chaiphibalsarisdi, P. (2015). A cross-sectional relationship between social capital, self-compassion, and perceived HIV symptoms. Journal of pain and symptom management50(1), 59-68.