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; Afsaneh  Khajvand Khoshli; Arastoo  Mirani; Leila Sadat  Azizi Ziabari

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i3.20761

Fatemeh Zare Gholcheshmeh Ph.D. Student in General Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
Afsaneh Khajvand Khoshli Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
Arastoo Mirani Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
Leila Sadat Azizi Ziabari Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i3.20761

Keywords: Mindfulness, Death, Anxiety, Sense of Coherence, Aged, Women

Abstract

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.