THE EFFECT OF SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS ON HAPPINESS OF HOSPITALIZED DEPRESSED PATIENTS IN ZAHEDAN BAHARAN HOSPITAL

Background & Aim: Happiness is one of the most important determinants of mental health that decreases in depressed patients; the goal of present study is to assess the effect of scheduled appointments on happiness of hospitalized depressed patients. Materials & Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study (IRCT20180224038839N1) was conducted on 70 hospitalized depressed patients in the Baharan psychiatric hospital of Zahedan in summer 2017. Samples were selected through convenience sampling method and divided into two intervention and control groups of 35 each. Patients in the interventions group received the 6 sessions of scheduled family appointments with first_ degree relatives. The control group received freely and without any planning appointments. Happiness level was measured and compared before and after intervention for two groups. The data was analyzed by SPSS using the chi-square test, the independent t-test , the paired t-test and the analysis of covariance . Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of happiness between the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05). However, after the intervention in the experimental group, the mean scores of happiness (25.08±7.28), increased (P<0.05) compared to the mean scores happiness (11.71±4.24) in the control group. Conclusion: Considering the effect of scheduled appointments on promotion happiness of hospitalized depressed patients, it is recommended that This type of intervention is used in the treatment of depressed patients.