Comparison of the Effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy and Logotherapy on Death Anxiety in the Elderly

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran E-mail: mehrdadsabet@iau.ac.ir; orcid.org/0000-0003-3890-4294

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran

10.22126/jap.2026.13821.1915

Abstract

Background and Objective: Aging is accompanied by various psychological challenges, including death anxiety, which can reduce quality of life. Psychotherapeutic approaches based on compassion and meaning have the potential to effectively manage negative emotions and reduce death anxiety in the elderly.
Materials and Method: The present study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a two-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of elderly residents of nursing homes in Karaj, of whom 45 were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (compassion-focused therapy and logotherapy) and a control group. Therapeutic interventions were implemented in the form of eight 90-minute group sessions, and death anxiety was measured using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and clinical significance indices.
Results: The results indicated that both therapeutic ap
proaches significantly reduced death anxiety in the elderly (p<0.01), and the effects of the interventions remained stable at the two-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Compassion-focused therapy and logotherapy can effectively reduce death anxiety and enhance psychological well-being in the elderly. These findings highlight the importance of implementing such interventions in elderly care settings as effective psychotherapeutic programs.

Main Subjects

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 26 April 2026
  • Revise Date: 01 July 2026
  • Accept Date: 01 May 2026

Share

How to cite

Statistics