Volume 24, Issue 3 (12-2025)
TB 2025, 24(3): 32-46 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.IAU.CHALUS.REC.1403.07
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Zare Gholcheshmeh F, Khajvand Khoshli A, Mirani A, Azizi Ziabari L. Determining the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Death Anxiety and Sense of Coherence in Middle-Aged Women in Rehabilitation and Daily Education Centers in Gorgan City. TB 2025; 24 (3) :32-46
URL: http://tbj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-3798-en.html
URL: http://tbj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-3798-en.html
Department of Psychology, Go. C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran , a.khajevand@iau.ac.ir
Full-Text [PDF 477 kb]
(27 Downloads)
| Abstract (HTML) (42 Views)
Full-Text: (32 Views)
Determining the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Death Anxiety and Sense of Coherence in Middle-Aged Women in Rehabilitation and Daily Education Centers in Gorgan City
Fatemeh Zare Gholcheshmeh(Ph.D.s)1, Afsaneh Khajvand Khoshli(Ph.D.)2, Arastoo Mirani(Ph.D.)3, Leila Sadat Azizi Ziabari(Ph.D.)4
1.Ph.D. Student in General Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
2.Corresponsible Author: Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran E-mail: a.khajevand@iau.ac.ir Tel: +98-9111901081
3.Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
4.Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Aging is one of the critical stages of human development, characterized by its own specific features and conditions. Among the most common mental health issues in the elderly are death anxiety and sense of coherence. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training on death anxiety and sense of coherence among elderly women attending daily rehabilitation and educational centers in Gorgan.
Methods: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a control group and a follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of elderly women (aged 70–80) living in elderly care centers in Gorgan in 2024. A purposive sampling method was used, and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 30 participants were randomly selected from two centers and assigned to two equal groups. Data were collected using Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Questionnaire and Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale. Only the intervention group received Van Son’s mindfulness training program in eight sessions (each lasting 60 minutes). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with SPSS version 26.
Results: The results showed that in the intervention group, the mean and standard deviation of sense of coherence scores in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases were 48/46 ± 1/80, 55/86 ± 1/88, and 54/86 ± 1/99, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of death anxiety scores were 10/06 ± 1/57, 5/40 ± 1/40, and 6/20 ± 1/32, respectively. Compared to the control group, these changes were statistically significant (p< 0/001).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that mindfulness training is an effective method for increasing the sense of coherence and reducing death anxiety among elderly women.
Keywords: Mindfulness, Death, Anxiety, Sense of Coherence, Aged, Women
Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
1-Wu J, Fu D, Zhang L & et al. The Relationship between psychological vulnerability, aging attitudes and life meaning in elderly patients with comorbidities. Health Promot. 2024; 26(11): 894-904.
2-Chang AY, Skirbekk VF, Tyrovolas S & et al. Measuring population ageing: An Analysis of the global burden of disease study. Lancet Public Health. 2019; 4: 159-167.
3-Han A, Kim JU. Kim J. A Study of leisure walking intensity levels on mental health and health perception of older adults. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2021; 7: 1-8.
4-Babaei Z, Yadegari F, Vahedi M. A Comparative study of quality of life based on the severity of stroke-induced aphasia in home-dwelling elderly: quality of life of elderly individuals across different severity levels of aphasia. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing. 2026; 20(4): Published.[Persian]
5-Foong HF, Hamid TA, Ibrahim R & et al. Predicting cognitive function of the Malaysian elderly: a structural equation modelling approach. Aging Ment Health. 2018; 22(1): 109-120.
6-Naghipour M, Kazemiyan Moghadam K, Horounrashidi H. The Effectiveness of positive psychology on suicidal ideation and death anxiety in the elderly. Journal of Aging Psychology. 2020; 4(6): 357-367.[Persian]
7-Hourzad A, Pouladi S, Ostovar A & et al. The Effects of an empowering self-management model on self-efficacy and sense of coherence among retired elderly with chronic diseases: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2018; 1(13): 2215-2224.[Persian]
8-Hirsikangas S, Kanste O, Korpelainen J & et al. The Effects of intervention on the quality of life, sense of coherence and daily activities of frequent attenders. J Nurs Educ Pract. 2018; 8: 63-71.
9-Baradari A, Sheykhalslami A, Sadri A & et al. The Effectiveness of narrative therapy on family cohesion and marital intimacy in conflicted couples. Journal of Psychology Development. 2024; 13(7): 41-50.[Persian]
10-Mahmoudpour A, Haggi A. Predicting self-coherence in the elderly based on emotion regulation, self-compassion, and attitudes toward death. Journal of Psychology Development. 2024; 1(94): 254-243.[Persian]
11-Lim SY, Chang SO. Ego-integrity management of residents in nursing homes: a concept analysis based on the method by Walker and Avant. J Kor Geronto Nurs. 2020; 20(2): 97-108.
12-Ardelt M, Gerlach KR, Vaillant GE. Early and midlife predictors of wisdom and subjective well-being in old age. J Nat Libr Medi. 2018; 73: 1514–1525.
13-Asgari SH, Shafei H. Predicting the quality of life of the elderly based on internal coherence, mindfulness, and spiritual intelligence. Journal of Positive Psychology. 2017; 3(3): 61-74.[Persian]
14-Momeni K, Radmehr F. The Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on marital adjustment, sense of coherence, and psychological resilience of veterans' spouses. Journal of Military Medicine. 2019; 21(1): 21-12.[Persian]
15-Srivastava M, Ghosh A. Societal impact of death anxiety and mental health among nurses in India. Societal Impacts. 2024; 4: 100095.
16-El-Ashry A, El-Fatah NK, Abdelhamim EA. Harmony found: Serenity's crucial role in alleviating death anxiety through attachment styles among community-dwelling older adults. Geriatr Nurs. 2024; 58: 247-254.
17-Khalvati M, Babakhanian M, Khalvati M & et al. Death anxiety in Iranian elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Elderly. 2021; 16(2): 152-171.[Persian]
18-Hajihasani M, Naderi N. Death anxiety in the elderly: the role of spiritual health and perceived social support. Journal of Aging Psychology. 2021; 6(4): 319-309.[Persian]
19-Kakabaraei K, Maazinezhad M. The Relationship between age and finding meaning in life with death anxiety in elderly men and women. Journal of Aging Psychology. 2016; 2(1): 37-48.[Persian]
20-Salehpour A, Yosefi Z, Gholparvar M. Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction with acceptance and commitment therapy on social anxiety and its dimensions in adults. Avicenna Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023; 30(2): 90-98.[Persian]
21-Kimmes J, Jaurequi M, May R & et al. Mindfulness in the context of romantic relationship and marital intimacy: initial development and validation of the relationship mindfulness measure. J Marital Fam Ther. 2018; 44(4): 575-89.
22-Sarafraz M, Valikhani A. The Relationship between mindfulness and academic status within the framework of gender roles among third-grade high school students in Shiraz. Journal of Educational Research 2015; 1: 23-39.[Persian]
23-Kashdan B, Rottenberg C. Effects of an acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on leaders and managers psychological flexibility. J Thér Comport Cogn. 2019; 27(1): 34-42.
24-Shakibaei P, Ghayomi P. The Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on anxiety levels and quality of life in women. Quarterly Journal of Addiction Studies. 2022; 16(63): 359-379.[Persian]
25-Vander Gucht K, Dejonckheere E, Erbas Y & et al. An Experience sampling study examining the potential impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on emotion differentiation. Emot. 2024; 19(1): 123-135.
26-Teixeira RJ, Pereira MG. Examining mindfulness and its relation to self-differentiation and alexithymia. Mindfulness. 2023; 6(1): 79-87.
27-Analayo B, Medvedev ON, Singh NN & et al. Effects of mindful practices on terror of mortality: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness. 2022; 13(12): 3043-305.
28-Delavar A. Research Methods in Psychology and Educational Sciences. Tehran: Editorial Publications. 2024.[Persian]
29-Antonovsky A. The Structure and properties of the sense of coherence scale. SSM Ment Health. 1993; 36(6): 725-733.
30-Mohamadzade A. Investigating the psychometric properties of the 13-question Antonovsky Sense of Coherence Test. Master's thesis in psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran. 2011. [Persian]
31-Templer DI. The Construction and validation of a death anxiety scale. J Gen Psychol. 1970; 82(2)L 165-177.
32-van Son J, Nyklíček I, Pop VJ & et al. Testing the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce emotional distress in outpatients with diabetes (DiaMind): design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2011; 11(1): 131-43.
Fatemeh Zare Gholcheshmeh(Ph.D.s)1, Afsaneh Khajvand Khoshli(Ph.D.)2, Arastoo Mirani(Ph.D.)3, Leila Sadat Azizi Ziabari(Ph.D.)4
1.Ph.D. Student in General Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
2.Corresponsible Author: Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran E-mail: a.khajevand@iau.ac.ir Tel: +98-9111901081
3.Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
4.Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Aging is one of the critical stages of human development, characterized by its own specific features and conditions. Among the most common mental health issues in the elderly are death anxiety and sense of coherence. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training on death anxiety and sense of coherence among elderly women attending daily rehabilitation and educational centers in Gorgan.
Methods: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a control group and a follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of elderly women (aged 70–80) living in elderly care centers in Gorgan in 2024. A purposive sampling method was used, and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 30 participants were randomly selected from two centers and assigned to two equal groups. Data were collected using Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Questionnaire and Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale. Only the intervention group received Van Son’s mindfulness training program in eight sessions (each lasting 60 minutes). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with SPSS version 26.
Results: The results showed that in the intervention group, the mean and standard deviation of sense of coherence scores in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases were 48/46 ± 1/80, 55/86 ± 1/88, and 54/86 ± 1/99, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of death anxiety scores were 10/06 ± 1/57, 5/40 ± 1/40, and 6/20 ± 1/32, respectively. Compared to the control group, these changes were statistically significant (p< 0/001).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that mindfulness training is an effective method for increasing the sense of coherence and reducing death anxiety among elderly women.
Keywords: Mindfulness, Death, Anxiety, Sense of Coherence, Aged, Women
Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
1-Wu J, Fu D, Zhang L & et al. The Relationship between psychological vulnerability, aging attitudes and life meaning in elderly patients with comorbidities. Health Promot. 2024; 26(11): 894-904.
2-Chang AY, Skirbekk VF, Tyrovolas S & et al. Measuring population ageing: An Analysis of the global burden of disease study. Lancet Public Health. 2019; 4: 159-167.
3-Han A, Kim JU. Kim J. A Study of leisure walking intensity levels on mental health and health perception of older adults. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2021; 7: 1-8.
4-Babaei Z, Yadegari F, Vahedi M. A Comparative study of quality of life based on the severity of stroke-induced aphasia in home-dwelling elderly: quality of life of elderly individuals across different severity levels of aphasia. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing. 2026; 20(4): Published.[Persian]
5-Foong HF, Hamid TA, Ibrahim R & et al. Predicting cognitive function of the Malaysian elderly: a structural equation modelling approach. Aging Ment Health. 2018; 22(1): 109-120.
6-Naghipour M, Kazemiyan Moghadam K, Horounrashidi H. The Effectiveness of positive psychology on suicidal ideation and death anxiety in the elderly. Journal of Aging Psychology. 2020; 4(6): 357-367.[Persian]
7-Hourzad A, Pouladi S, Ostovar A & et al. The Effects of an empowering self-management model on self-efficacy and sense of coherence among retired elderly with chronic diseases: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2018; 1(13): 2215-2224.[Persian]
8-Hirsikangas S, Kanste O, Korpelainen J & et al. The Effects of intervention on the quality of life, sense of coherence and daily activities of frequent attenders. J Nurs Educ Pract. 2018; 8: 63-71.
9-Baradari A, Sheykhalslami A, Sadri A & et al. The Effectiveness of narrative therapy on family cohesion and marital intimacy in conflicted couples. Journal of Psychology Development. 2024; 13(7): 41-50.[Persian]
10-Mahmoudpour A, Haggi A. Predicting self-coherence in the elderly based on emotion regulation, self-compassion, and attitudes toward death. Journal of Psychology Development. 2024; 1(94): 254-243.[Persian]
11-Lim SY, Chang SO. Ego-integrity management of residents in nursing homes: a concept analysis based on the method by Walker and Avant. J Kor Geronto Nurs. 2020; 20(2): 97-108.
12-Ardelt M, Gerlach KR, Vaillant GE. Early and midlife predictors of wisdom and subjective well-being in old age. J Nat Libr Medi. 2018; 73: 1514–1525.
13-Asgari SH, Shafei H. Predicting the quality of life of the elderly based on internal coherence, mindfulness, and spiritual intelligence. Journal of Positive Psychology. 2017; 3(3): 61-74.[Persian]
14-Momeni K, Radmehr F. The Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on marital adjustment, sense of coherence, and psychological resilience of veterans' spouses. Journal of Military Medicine. 2019; 21(1): 21-12.[Persian]
15-Srivastava M, Ghosh A. Societal impact of death anxiety and mental health among nurses in India. Societal Impacts. 2024; 4: 100095.
16-El-Ashry A, El-Fatah NK, Abdelhamim EA. Harmony found: Serenity's crucial role in alleviating death anxiety through attachment styles among community-dwelling older adults. Geriatr Nurs. 2024; 58: 247-254.
17-Khalvati M, Babakhanian M, Khalvati M & et al. Death anxiety in Iranian elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Elderly. 2021; 16(2): 152-171.[Persian]
18-Hajihasani M, Naderi N. Death anxiety in the elderly: the role of spiritual health and perceived social support. Journal of Aging Psychology. 2021; 6(4): 319-309.[Persian]
19-Kakabaraei K, Maazinezhad M. The Relationship between age and finding meaning in life with death anxiety in elderly men and women. Journal of Aging Psychology. 2016; 2(1): 37-48.[Persian]
20-Salehpour A, Yosefi Z, Gholparvar M. Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction with acceptance and commitment therapy on social anxiety and its dimensions in adults. Avicenna Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023; 30(2): 90-98.[Persian]
21-Kimmes J, Jaurequi M, May R & et al. Mindfulness in the context of romantic relationship and marital intimacy: initial development and validation of the relationship mindfulness measure. J Marital Fam Ther. 2018; 44(4): 575-89.
22-Sarafraz M, Valikhani A. The Relationship between mindfulness and academic status within the framework of gender roles among third-grade high school students in Shiraz. Journal of Educational Research 2015; 1: 23-39.[Persian]
23-Kashdan B, Rottenberg C. Effects of an acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on leaders and managers psychological flexibility. J Thér Comport Cogn. 2019; 27(1): 34-42.
24-Shakibaei P, Ghayomi P. The Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on anxiety levels and quality of life in women. Quarterly Journal of Addiction Studies. 2022; 16(63): 359-379.[Persian]
25-Vander Gucht K, Dejonckheere E, Erbas Y & et al. An Experience sampling study examining the potential impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on emotion differentiation. Emot. 2024; 19(1): 123-135.
26-Teixeira RJ, Pereira MG. Examining mindfulness and its relation to self-differentiation and alexithymia. Mindfulness. 2023; 6(1): 79-87.
27-Analayo B, Medvedev ON, Singh NN & et al. Effects of mindful practices on terror of mortality: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness. 2022; 13(12): 3043-305.
28-Delavar A. Research Methods in Psychology and Educational Sciences. Tehran: Editorial Publications. 2024.[Persian]
29-Antonovsky A. The Structure and properties of the sense of coherence scale. SSM Ment Health. 1993; 36(6): 725-733.
30-Mohamadzade A. Investigating the psychometric properties of the 13-question Antonovsky Sense of Coherence Test. Master's thesis in psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran. 2011. [Persian]
31-Templer DI. The Construction and validation of a death anxiety scale. J Gen Psychol. 1970; 82(2)L 165-177.
32-van Son J, Nyklíček I, Pop VJ & et al. Testing the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce emotional distress in outpatients with diabetes (DiaMind): design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2011; 11(1): 131-43.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychology
Received: 2025/07/19 | Accepted: 2025/08/12 | Published: 2025/09/22
Received: 2025/07/19 | Accepted: 2025/08/12 | Published: 2025/09/22
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
