The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study
BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders associated with aging. Positive thinking training is a way to help older adults cope with anxiety and depression and increase their happiness. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on anxiety...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Education and Health Promotion |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2024;volume=13;issue=1;spage=65;epage=65;aulast=Pourdavarani |
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| author | Anis Pourdavarani Jamileh Farokhzadian Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi Sedigheh Khodabandeh Shahraki |
| author_facet | Anis Pourdavarani Jamileh Farokhzadian Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi Sedigheh Khodabandeh Shahraki |
| author_sort | Anis Pourdavarani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders associated with aging. Positive thinking training is a way to help older adults cope with anxiety and depression and increase their happiness. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 48 older adults referred to two comprehensive health service facilities in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman. The intervention (n = 24) and control (n = 24) groups were randomly assigned from a convenience sample of older adults. The intervention group attended eight two-hour training sessions on positive thinking. Data were collected before and one month after the positive thinking training using Beck Anxiety Inventory and Oxford Happiness Inventory. All statistical procedures were performed in SPSS software (version 22), with the significance level set to P=0.05.
RESULTS: Before the positive thinking program was delivered, the mean anxiety scores in the intervention and control groups were 13.98 ± 8.61 and 19.25 ± 11.67, respectively. After the intervention was completed, the mean scores for the intervention and control groups were 4.50 ± 4.07 and 15.54 ± 9.04, indicating a significant reduction in anxiety among intervention group participants (t = -5.45, P < 0.001). The mean baseline happiness scores in the intervention and control groups were 26.58 ± 12.40 and 37.91 ± 5.57, respectively, which changed to 62.91 ± 4.66 and 35.62 ± 10.62 at the post-test. Positive thinking training improved happiness in a significant manner (t = -4.08, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Results revealed that positive thinking training decreased anxiety and enhanced happiness among older adults. Given the growing elderly population, clinical managers, clinical specialists, nurses in health care centers, and those involved in elderly care facilities can benefit from this non-pharmacological treatment program for older adults suffering from anxiety and depression. It is suggested that preventive programs based on positive psychology be developed to aid in the prevention of people's declining happiness and increasing anxiety as they age. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:42:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eb4a76b72a4d41d4a0a920c866350df1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2277-9531 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:42:32Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education and Health Promotion |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb4a76b72a4d41d4a0a920c866350df12024-03-25T11:15:09ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312024-01-01131656510.4103/jehp.jehp_1799_22The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental studyAnis PourdavaraniJamileh FarokhzadianMansooreh Azizzadeh ForouziSedigheh Khodabandeh ShahrakiBACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders associated with aging. Positive thinking training is a way to help older adults cope with anxiety and depression and increase their happiness. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 48 older adults referred to two comprehensive health service facilities in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman. The intervention (n = 24) and control (n = 24) groups were randomly assigned from a convenience sample of older adults. The intervention group attended eight two-hour training sessions on positive thinking. Data were collected before and one month after the positive thinking training using Beck Anxiety Inventory and Oxford Happiness Inventory. All statistical procedures were performed in SPSS software (version 22), with the significance level set to P=0.05. RESULTS: Before the positive thinking program was delivered, the mean anxiety scores in the intervention and control groups were 13.98 ± 8.61 and 19.25 ± 11.67, respectively. After the intervention was completed, the mean scores for the intervention and control groups were 4.50 ± 4.07 and 15.54 ± 9.04, indicating a significant reduction in anxiety among intervention group participants (t = -5.45, P < 0.001). The mean baseline happiness scores in the intervention and control groups were 26.58 ± 12.40 and 37.91 ± 5.57, respectively, which changed to 62.91 ± 4.66 and 35.62 ± 10.62 at the post-test. Positive thinking training improved happiness in a significant manner (t = -4.08, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that positive thinking training decreased anxiety and enhanced happiness among older adults. Given the growing elderly population, clinical managers, clinical specialists, nurses in health care centers, and those involved in elderly care facilities can benefit from this non-pharmacological treatment program for older adults suffering from anxiety and depression. It is suggested that preventive programs based on positive psychology be developed to aid in the prevention of people's declining happiness and increasing anxiety as they age.http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2024;volume=13;issue=1;spage=65;epage=65;aulast=Pourdavaranianxietyeducationelderlyhappinessoptimism |
| spellingShingle | Anis Pourdavarani Jamileh Farokhzadian Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi Sedigheh Khodabandeh Shahraki The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study Journal of Education and Health Promotion anxiety education elderly happiness optimism |
| title | The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study |
| title_full | The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study |
| title_fullStr | The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study |
| title_short | The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study |
| title_sort | effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults a quasi experimental study |
| topic | anxiety education elderly happiness optimism |
| url | http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2024;volume=13;issue=1;spage=65;epage=65;aulast=Pourdavarani |
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