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Aim and Background: Childhood experiences could have profound effects on their adulthood behaviors. This research conducted with the aim of assessing the elementary students' experiences of the elderly hospice who visited these centers or had a family member over there. Methods and Materials: A qualitative study conducted using content analysis method in 2008-9. Eleven students, who had visited a home elderly hospice or had a family member over there, wrote their memories from such experiences. Four of these and five more students were also interviewed. The data were analyzed using Krippendorff method. Findings: Findings were classified into four categories including "the nature of elderly hospice", "the causes of transmission", "mode of transmission" and "visit consequences". Each category had 2-4 subcategories. Most of the students perceived the elderly hospice as distant and different from the normal living place. According to the participants, the elderly were transferred to the hospice for reasons such as "loneliness", "disease and disability", "maintenance problems" and "children's selfishness". Conclusions: Students had negative perceptions of elderly hospices. Based on their experiences, the elderly hospices isolate the elderly from social life. The authorities should pay more attention to the arrangement and quality of care within the elderly hospices.

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Aim and Background: Discovering factors associated with mental health of the elderly is an interesting subject in the psychology of aging. This study investigated the relationships of spiritual well-being, existential well-being, and hardiness with mental health in the elderly. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational research was conducted on the elderly living in the nursing home of Ardabil (Iran). One hundred individuals were randomly selected. Data was collected using questionnaires about spiritual well-being, hardiness, and mental health. The collected data was analyzed with Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Findings: Spiritual well-being had significant negative associations with anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction. However, it had a positive significant relation with hardiness. Existential well-being had significant negative relations with somatization, anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction. Its relation with hardiness was positive and significant. Finally, hardiness had significant negative associations with anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Mental health of the elderly can be predicted by spiritual well-being, existential well-being, hardiness, and age. The results of this study imply the importance of spiritual well-being and hardiness in maintaining mental health of the elderly.

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Aim and Background: In recent years, sources of stress and unfavorable environments have increased. Moreover, the world&#039;s elderly population is growing. Thus, the aim of the present study was the investigation of the effectiveness of spirituality therapy on the resiliency of elderly living in nursing homes. Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest and control group. The study population consisted of all elderly in Sadeghieh Nursing Home, Isfahan, Iran. From among the elderly who gained a score of less than 50, 20 individuals were selected and randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 10). The experimental group received 8 sessions of spirituality therapy-based intervention. The Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale was completed by the participants in pretest and posttest stages. The Cronbach&rsquo;s alpha of this scale in Iran was 0.87. Its reliability was obtained through test-retest (0.73). The collected data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS software. Findings: Group spirituality therapy caused a significant increase in mean scores and resiliency of experimental group in posttest and follow-up stages in comparison to pretest (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results showed that spirituality therapy is a good method to increase resiliency in the elderly. Through participating in group spirituality therapy sessions and exchanging ideas and opinions, they found meaning and purpose in life and every event. Due to its relevance to the Iranian cultural and religious context, it is recommended that spirituality therapy be offered to other age groups and compared with cognitive therapy in terms of increase in resiliency.

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Aim and Background: Caring for patients with dementia is considered as the most difficult and challenging type of care and leads to increased caregiving burden and reduced quality of life (QOL) among caregivers. This research aimed to determine the effect of communication skills training on caregiving burden and QOL among family caregivers of elderly with dementia. Methods and Materials: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted with pretest-posttest design and a control group. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling method. Therefore, 30 subjects were chosen randomly and assigned to control and experimental groups (each with 15 subjects). The data collection tools consisted of the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and Caregivers&rsquo; Quality of Life Questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by the participants in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. The experimental group subjects received communication skills training in 7 sessions lasting 60 minutes. The collected data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS software. Findings: Communication skills training resulted in reduced caregiving burden and increased QOL in caregivers in the in experimental group in the posttest and follow-up stages. Conclusions: The results emphasize the importance of the use of these interventions in terms of caregiving burden and QOL in family caregivers of elderly with dementia. The results show that this intervention can be used as an appropriate intervention method.

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Aim and Background: Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the elderly. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of a course of yoga training and lavender use on depression in elderly women. Methods and Materials: The present quasi-experiment was performed with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The participants consisted of 40 elderly women aged between 60 and 70 years. They were selected using convenience sampling. The subjects were randomly assigned to 4 groups; the control group, yoga practice group, group of yoga practice combined with lavender use in the first month of training, and group of yoga practice combined with lavender use in the second month of training. All three experimental groups practiced yoga for 2 months. The difference between the experimental groups was in the inhalation of lavender essence. The data collection tool used in this study was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Findings: The results showed greater reduction in depression in the combined groups compared to the yoga practice group. However, there was no significant difference between the two combined groups. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, physical activity and inhalation of lavender are highly recommended for the reduction of depression.

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Aim and Background: The aim of this developmental study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Aging Perception Questionnaire (APQ) in the elderly in Tehran, Iran. Methods and Materials: To estimate the psychometric properties of the APQ, 502 individuals (373 subjects aged 60-80 years and 129 subjects aged 50-59 years, and 49.4% men and 50.6% women) in Tehran were selected using convenience sampling. The multidimensional APQ, which consists of two parts, was distributed among the subjects. The first part evaluates the viewpoint about increasing age (aging), and the second part evaluates the experiences related to changes in their health. Findings: Data analysis showed that the internal consistency of the APQ for the first part consisting of 32 items was 0.82 and for the second part consisting of 17 items was 0.88. In addition, the internal consistency of each subscale ranged between 0.63 and 0.81. The stability coefficient for the two parts of the questionnaire was assessed using test-retest over the period of 2 months and was found to be significant for all subscales (P < 0.01). To assess the construct validity, the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal components (PC) analysis was used. The sampling adequacy in the two parts was, respectively, 0.871 and 0.728, and the significance of Bartlett test indicated appropriate conditions for factor analysis. Based on these findings, the first part of the APQ was saturated with 7 factors and in total explained 50.24% of the total variance. The second part in the single-factor structure in terms of determination of the experiences of health-related changes was valid that explains about 36.21% of the total variance under these conditions. The significant correlation between scores of APQ components and subscales of the Quality of Life Questionnaire (P < 0.01) represented the criterion-referenced validity of the questionnaire. Conclusions: The findings showed that the APQ had appropriate reliability and validity for assessing perceptions of aging in Iranian elderly.

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Aim and Background: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the reduction of adjustment disorder in elderly individuals. Methods and Materials: This was a semi-experimental and empirical study. The statistical population consisted of elderly individuals referring to daily rehabilitation centers and the Institute of Jahan Didegan in Tehran, Iran, for treatment and promotion of their psychological status. Subjects were selected via simple random and convenience sampling method. First, the Critical Life Event Inventory (CIEI) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were completed through clinical interviews. Then, by performing the Bell Adjustment Inventory (BDI), those with adjustment disorder were identified based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-V) criteria. Among the individuals with adjustment disorder, 30 elderly individuals were selected randomly and divided into 2 groups (N = 15 in each) of cognitive-behavior therapy (experimental) and control (waiting list). Finally, the posttest and 1-month fallow-up were conducted for both groups. Findings: ANOVA and Tukey test results revealed that there was a significant difference between the mean posttest and follow-up scores of the cognitive-behavioral therapy group on the reduction of adjustment disorder in elderly individuals (P = 0.001). Conclusions: CBT was effective on reducing adjustment disorder in elderly individuals.

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Aim and Background: The growing population of the elderly and their specific problems and needs make further studies necessary. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between personality factors and death anxiety in the elderly. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational study was carried out using path analysis method. The statistical population included all the elderly (over the age of 60) living in cities of West Azerbaijan province, Iran, of which 234 (150 men and 84 women) were randomly selected. Data were collected using Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). To analyze data, SPSS and SmartPLS softwares were used. Findings:  Each of the variables of life satisfaction and agreement had a direct and negative relationship with death anxiety. Also, the results showed that each of the variables of neuroticism and conscientiousness had a direct and positive relationship with death anxiety. Other findings of the study suggested that neuroticism, extraversion, flexibility, and agreement were indirectly related to death anxiety through life satisfaction. Conclusions: Life satisfaction plays the role of mediation in the relationships between each of the factors of neuroticism, extraversion, flexibility, and agreement with the death anxiety in the elderly. Therefore, increasing life satisfaction is associated with a reduction in the death anxiety in the elderly. Moreover, the results confirm the assumptions of Erikson theory based on the relationship between life satisfaction and accepting the reality of death in the elderly.

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Aim and Background: The number and variety of stressors that people face in elderly period have made it a necessity to pay attention to mental health, especially affective capital in this period. This study was administered with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of spirituality-based existentialism therapy and Islamic spiritual therapy on affective capital among elderly women.

Methods and Materials: The current study was a three group quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test and two months follow up design. The sample consisted of 36 elderly women covered by Isfahan comprehensive health care centers who were selected based on convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned into two experimental and one control group (each group 12 person). Experimental groups were treated with spirituality-based existentialism therapy and Islamic Spiritual therapy. Affective Capital Questionnaire (ACQ) was administered to three groups in three stages of research. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance trough SPSS version 24 software.

Findings: The results of this study showed that spirituality-based existentialism therapy and Islamic spiritual therapy had significant effect on increasing affective capital.

Conclusions: Spirituality-based existentialism therapy and Islamic spiritual therapy are two appropriate therapies to increase the affective capital of elderly women. They attended to the sessions of these two treatments, found meaning and purpose in life and every event.

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Aim and Background: Studies have shown that exercise affects the heart characteristics; therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the Effect of 12 weeks Resistance training on heart’s functional characteristics in elderly women.
Methods and Materials: The research method was quasi-experimental and the research design was pre-test, post-test, follow up with experimental and control groups. The statistical population of the study consisted of elderly in Kermanshah Welfare Center. The sampling method was purposive and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria among 60-65 years old women. 27 persons were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Echocardiography was used to measure heart structure and function. Repeated measurement test was used to determine the effectiveness of exercise and Bonferroni test was used at the P≤0.05 level. All calculations were performed using SPSS 24 software.
Findings: The results showed that in all functional variables, the difference between pre-test and post-test was significant in the experimental group (p<.001). Due to the difference in the means, scores from pre-test to post-test increased. There was also a significant difference between the mean post-test and follow-up of the experimental group (p<0.001). Also in all functional variables, the difference between pre-test and post-test in control group was not significant (p= 1.000). Due to the difference in the means, pre-test to post-test scores did not change significantly. (p<.05).
Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that 12 weeks of resistance training had a significant effect on the functional parameters of the heart of elderly women.
Keywords: Resistance training, functional characteristics, Heart, Elderly women.

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Aim and Background: Aging is associated with changes in physical, motor and mental functions and can affect people's lifestyles; therefore, the aim of this study was the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on stress and balance in older men.
Methods and Materials: The present study is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population includes men aged 60 to 70 years who referred to rehabilitation and psychology centers in Shahrud in 2020. Purposeful sampling method and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, 24 qualified people were randomly identified and randomly assigned to 2 groups of 12 people. Finally, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, the number of subjects was reduced to 21 people, including the cognitive-behavioral therapy group based on mindfulness 11 people and the control group 10 people. Research instruments included Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Cohen et al. (1983) Perceived Stress. In this study, SPSS statistical software version 25 was used to analyze the data as well as One-way analysis of covariance.
Findings: The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy had a significant effect on balance and stress in older men (P≤0.001).
Conclusions: It seems that mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral interventions affect research variables. However, in order to increase the external validity of the research, it is suggested that more research be done.

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Aim and Background: Considering the increasing trend of aging in Iran and the importance of appropriate quality of life in elderlies, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and quality of life in the elderly in Isfahan.
Methods and Materials: This study is a cross-sectional study performed on 214 elderly in 2020. In this study, the data were analyzed based on the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire (Desi and Ryan 2000), which includes three dimensions: the need for competence, the need for autonomy, and the need for communication. The SF12 quality of life questionnaire was also used in two dimensions of physical health and mental health. Data were collected in spss24 and analyzed by T_TEST, ANOVA and linear regression tests.
Findings: The results of the current study showed that, the need for competence have an ability to predict the changes in quality of life in the physical dimension (β = 0.183, p = 0.020), the psychological dimension (β = 0.366, p = 0.001) and predict and changes in the total quality of life (β = 0.319, p = 0.001). Communication and autonomy needs satisfaction did not independently play a predictive role in quality of life.
Conclusions: the basic psychological need satisfaction in the competence dimension predicts a better quality of life in both the physical and psychological dimensions of the elderly. Therefore, by giving responsibility and defining effective roles for the elderly in order to meet the need for competence, steps can be taken to increase their quality of life.

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Aim and Background: Sleep is one of the important elements in circadian cycles that is associated with the restoration of physical and mental strength and has a great impact on quality of life. Sports activities are among the interfering factors in improving the quality of sleep and quality of life; Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of the effect of aerobic exercise on improving the mental quality of sleep and quality of life of the elderly.
Methods and Materials: This is a quasi-experimental study and the subjects of this study were 40 elderly people in 1399. For data analysis, a researcher-made demographic questionnaire was used and the standard questionnaires for measuring Petersburg quality of sleep (PSQI) and quality of life (SF-36) were used. An appropriate training protocol was used for the intervention and data were analyzed. Shapiro-Wilk, dependent parametric t-test and non-parametric Wilcoxon tests were used and statistical calculations were used by SPSS software.
Findings: After aerobic exercise, the average score of sleep quality decreased from 8.1 to 6, ie 26% improvement in sleep quality and the average score of quality of life increased from 78.63 to 81.73, ie 4% improvement in quality of life was observed (p≤ 0.05).
Conclusions: It seems that the intervention has a significant effect on the studied variables and sports activities improve the level of sleep quality and quality of life of the elderly.