Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
2 MSc in Sciences of Hadith and Qur'an, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
4 Professor, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iranian Research Center of Healthy Aging, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Death anxiety is a prevalent issue among the elderly, which plays an important role in causing mental disorders. This study explores the effect of spiritual care on death anxiety levels among the elderly in daycare centers of Neyshabur and Madar Nursing Home in Sabzevar.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial involved 49 elderly participants eligible for inclusion from daycare centers in Neyshabur and the Madar nursing home in Sabzevar. The data collection instrument utilized was Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group receiving spiritual care or a control group. Both groups completed Templer’s death anxiety questionnaire before the intervention. The intervention group underwent eight spiritual training sessions. Post-intervention assessments were conducted immediately after the sessions and one month later, with questionnaires completed by both groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-26 software, with a significance level of P < 0.05.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean death anxiety levels were (8.09 ± 2.78) for the intervention group and (7.26 ± 2.78) for the control group, showing no statistically significant difference. However, immediately after the intervention and one month later, significant differences in mean death anxiety levels were observed between the two groups (p < 0.0001)
Conclusion: : The findings suggest that implementing a spiritual care program is effective in reducing death anxiety among the elderly. Therefore, enhancing spiritual care, alongside other supportive methods, is recommended as an effective and cost-efficient strategy to improve the psychological well-being of elderly individuals.
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