The Effectiveness of Spirituality Therapy on Psychological Coherence and Self-Compassion in the Older People

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Dez.C., Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran

10.22126/jap.2026.12765.1874

Abstract

Old age is a sensitive period in which examining different dimensions of mental health becomes very important. Psychological coherence and self-compassion are factors that can have a significant impact on the mental health of the elderly. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of spirituality therapy on psychological coherence and self-compassion of the elderly in Tehran. The research method was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study was all the elderly in Tehran in the first half of 1404. The sample size of the study included 30 elderly people (65 to 75 years old) who were selected using a convenience sampling method and based on the study entry criteria and was randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the spirituality therapy package in eight 90-minute weekly sessions. The scales used in this study included the Neff Self-Compassion Scale and the Nolen Antonowski Psychological Coherence Scale. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis of covariance using SPSS version 22. The results showed that by controlling the effect of the pretest in the posttest phase, there was a significant difference between the two control and experimental groups in the variables of psychological coherence and self-compassion (p<0.001). According to the findings of this study, spirituality therapy improves psychological coherence and self-compassion in the elderly and represents new horizons in clinical interventions and can be used as an effective intervention method in improving psychological coherence and self-compassion in the older adult.

Main Subjects

Aging Psychology
Volume 11, Issue 3
September 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 02 January 2026
  • Accept Date: 03 January 2026

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