The effectiveness of hope therapy on Morale of Elderly

Introduction: According to increase in the elderly population and the prevalence of mental disorders in this group, it is important to perform interventions to improve their mental health. Morale is also one of the dimensions of mental health that affects all aspects of human health. This study was conducted to determine the effect of hope therapy on the morale of the elderly. Method: This experimental study was conducted in 2015 in Gonabad city. The statistical population of all elderly people was covered by community health centers. Fifty elderly people who met the inclusion criteria were systematically randomly selected and equally divided into experimental and control groups. The research instruments included demographic questionnaires and Philadelphia morale. Questionnaires were completed before the intervention and then for the intervention group, psychotherapy based on Schneider's theory was performed in 8 sessions of 90 minutes and once a week. The questionnaire was completed again immediately and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, chi-square and independent t-test using SPSS 16 software. Results: The results showed that the mean morale score one month after the intervention in the experimental and control groups was respectively 14.00 ± 1.73 and 7.33 ± 3.02. In the experimental group, the score of morale dimension scores, immediately and one month after the intervention, increased significantly compared to the control group (P <0.05). Conclusions: Considering that in this study, hope therapy had a positive effect on increasing the morale of the elderly, it is suggested that this method be used to better care for the elderly and to increase their morale in the community, hospital and nursing home.