The Role of Psychological Capital and Psychological Flexibility in Predicting Loneliness in Elderly

Abstract

Growing old, decreasing perception of social efficiency because of retirement and separation from children cause the elderly to feel lonely. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the role of psychological capitals and psychological flexibility in predicting loneliness among elderly. It was a correlational descriptive study. The statistical population of the study included elderly living in Isfahan in 2018. Samples included 253 elderlies who were selected through convenience sampling method. Loneliness scale (Russell), psychological flexibility questionnaire (Denis and Vanderwal) and the questionnaire of psychological capitals (Lotanz and Olio) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and simultaneous multiple regression. The results reported a significant relationship between psychological capitals and psychological flexibility and feeling loneliness in the elderly (P˂0.001). Moreover, the results showed that psychological capitals and psychological flexibility were significant predictors of loneliness among elderly, while there was no significant difference in predicting predictive variables (psychological capitals and psychological flexibility) (P˃0.05). Considering the meaningful role of psychological capitals and psychological flexibility in significantly predicting loneliness in elderly, it seems a necessity to provide training for psychological capitals and improve psychological flexibility among elderly to decrease feeling lonely and apply the outcomes to decrease loneliness in elderly.

Keywords

• loneliness
• psychological flexibility
• psychological capitals
• elderly