The Effectiveness of Spiritual-Religion Psychotherapy on Mental Distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress) In the Elderly Living In Nursing Homes

Background and Objectives: Being away from the familiar surroundings and family supports, decline in capabilities and skills, and age-related failures can lead to mental problems in the elderly living in nursing homes. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of spiritual-religious psychotherapy on mental distress in the elderly in nursing homes. Methods: The study population of this semi-experimental study with control group and pretest-posttest, consisted of all elderly living in the nursing home of Bandar Abbas, southern Iran in ۲۰۱۶. Samples (n: ۲۸) were selected by convenience sampling and then randomly divided into two groups, experimental and control. Experimental group received spiritual-religion psychotherapy. Data collection instrument was Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales. Data analysis was conducted by multivariate analysis of variance in the SPSS version ۲۲. Results: Spiritual-religious psychotherapy had significant effect in improving depression (F=۱۳۸.۴۷, p<۰.۰۵), anxiety (F=۳۴.۵۷, p<۰.۰۵), and stress (F=۸۷.۳۰, p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Spiritual-religious psychotherapy can serve as an effective approach to improve mental distress in the elderly.  

Keywords:

Spiritual psychotherapy , religion , depression , anxiety , stress , elders.