The Effectiveness of Spiritual Self-Care Education on the Happiness of Iranian Older Adults: An Experimental Study

Background: The growing elderly population in Iran highlights the urgency of addressing older adults’ health and well-being. Self-care plays an important role in elderly health, and spiritual self-care is one of its crucial dimensions. This study assesses the impact of a structured spiritual self-care program on happiness among older adults in Iran. Methods: An experimental study with a pretest–posttest–follow-up design was conducted in ۲۰۲۵ on ۷۰ participants aged ۶۰ years and above from two community centers in Iran. Two community centers (Amirabad and Fatemi) from District ۶ of Tehran were selected, and Amirabad was randomly assigned as the intervention group while Fatemi served as the control group. In each center, ۳۵ eligible participants were randomly selected. The intervention group received a six-week spiritual self-care program consisting of six sessions on gratitude, prayer, stress management, and social engagement, supported by follow-up via WhatsApp. The control group received no intervention. Happiness was measured using the Oxford Happiness Inventory at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and two months later. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections conducted through SPSS software. Results: The two groups were comparable in baseline variables before the study. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in happiness scores compared to the control group (adjusted mean difference = ۸.۴۴۵, p = ۰.۰۰۳). Mean scores in the intervention group increased from ۱.۲۲ to ۱.۵۳, while scores in the control group remained stable or declined. A strong time × group interaction effect (p < ۰.۰۰۱) confirmed the lasting benefit of the intervention. The program’s multidimensional approach, targeting emotional and social well-being, likely drove these improvements. Conclusion: This spiritual self-care intervention significantly enhanced happiness among older adults, addressing a gap in Iran’s national self-care program. Despite limitations like a short follow-up period, the findings underscore the potential of structured educational programs to promote successful aging. Future research should explore diverse populations and long-term effects to refine such interventions. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study show that a structured spiritual self-care program can significantly improve happiness and psychological well-being in older adults. By focusing on emotional, social, and spiritual aspects such as gratitude, prayer, stress management, and social interaction, the intervention led to lasting improvements in happiness scores. Integrating such interventions into primary care and mental health services may offer an effective strategy for successful aging and reducing the psychiatric burden on the healthcare system.

Keywords:

Happiness , Older Adults , Spiritual Self-Care , Psychological Well-Being , Iran