The effectiveness of Lyubomirsky happiness training on mental health, life satisfaction, life expectancy and happiness in Shahreza nursing home women

Abstract

Introduction: Elderly people face problems such as poor mental health, satisfaction and low life expectancy and reduced happiness. The effectiveness of happiness education has also been confirmed in the improvement of some psychological problems. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of Lyubomirsky happiness training on mental health, life satisfaction, life expectancy and happiness in elderly women in Shahreza. Method: Present research was a quasi-experimental (pretest-posttest with a control group), The statistical population of this study included all elderly women living in the home of the city of Shahreza in 20162017 which 30 people selected using available sampling method and they were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (15 individuals for each group). Both groups Completed Goldberg and Hiller's General Health Questionnaire (1979), Life Satisfaction of Diner et al. (1985), Life expectancy of Snyder et al. (1991) and Happiness of Oxford (1989), in the three stages of pre-test, post-test and one month follow up. Lyubomirsky Happiness Training (2008) was conducted in groups during six sessions (weekly one-hour session for six weeks). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics including variance analysis with repeated-measures using SPSS version 20 software. Results: The results of variance analysis with repeated-measures showed that the mean scores of mental health (p=0.028), life satisfaction (p=0.042), life expectancy (p=0.001) and happiness (p=0.005) of elderly in experimental group compared to control group increased in the post-test and follow-up stages to the pre-test stage. Conclusion: Regarding the fact that Lyubomirsky's happiness training has an impact on improving mental health, improving life satisfaction and life expectancy, as well as increasing the happiness of the elderly, therefore, it is recommended to use this methodology to improve the variables discussed in aging centers.