طب انتظامی (Jan 2023)
The Relation between "Interpersonal Sensitivity" and "Quality of life" in the Armed Forces Retirees
Abstract
Introduction ... [1-5]. Following the increase among the elderly population, mental and emotional issues are considered as the basic needs of this period. [6]. One of the most important issues in old ages is the quality of life [7]. .... [8-13]. One of the basic components of interpersonal relationships is the concept of interpersonal sensitivity and it refers carefully to the perceptions, judgments and responses that people show towards each other [14-18]. ... [19]. Panaghi et al. believe that factors such as health, family health and personal relationships affect the quality of life [9]. Monika et al. In 2017 showed that there is a positive relation between interpersonal sensitivity, social support and quality of life in the elderly, and on the other hand, the role of social support as a mediator is evident between interpersonal sensitivity and quality of life [20]. Aim (s) The present study was conducted to investigate the relation between interpersonal sensitivity and the quality of life of Armed Forces retirees in Tehran, Iran. Research Type The present study is cross-sectional and correlational with an analytical approach. Research Society, Place and Time This study was conducted among the retirees of the Armed Forces living in Tehran, Iran in 2019-2020. The area of this research was the retirement centers of the Armed Forces of Tehran province. Sampling Method and Number 373 people were selected as the sample by available sampling method. Used Devices & Materials Demographic Profile and Boyce and Parker Interpersonal Sensitivity questionnaires [19] with confirmed validity and reliability [14, 20-22] and elderly quality of life questionnaire (CAPS-19) [23, 24] with confirmed validity and reliability [23] were used to collect data. Ethical Permissions All participants in the study were fully assured that their identity information would remain strictly confidential and they had full authority not to participate in the study or to withdraw from the study at any stage they wished. Statistical Analysis Data normality was checked using one-sample T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to investigate the relationship between different variables. The software used in this study was SPSS 22. Finding by Text Among 373 people who participated in the study, 91.42% (341) were male and 8.57% (32) were female. 75.6% (280 people) of the samples were 65-70 years old. Also, 61.4% of them were married (Table 1). The total mean score of interpersonal sensitivity was 57.17± 35.83 which was evaluated at a weak level. Mean score of interpersonal sensitivity subscales including interpersonal awareness, need for approval, separation anxiety, shyness, and fragile self-esteem, were respectively 10.02 ± 19.1, 13.06±14.18, 12± 15/30 and 7.04 ±13.21, which were lower than their specified maximum score and were assessed at a poor level. Subscale of need for approval was evaluated in an average level with score of 15.03±12.23. The total mean score of quality of life of the elderly was 58.00±26.34 which were evaluated at a good level in terms of quality of life. The mean scores of elderly quality of life subscales including control, independence, self-fulfillment and success were respectively 12.06±9.14, 15.21±16.28, 14.39±14.34 and 15.83±20.80 that they were close to their maximum score and at a good level. The results of Pearson correlation test showed that the significance level of Pearson correlation coefficient was equal to 0.41 (P-value <0.05); Therefore, a significant relationship was confirmed at 95% confidence level. Main Comparison to the Similar Studies The results of this study are consistent with the findings of Beyrami et al. [25] and Asemi et al. [26]; emotion regulation training has a significant effect on reducing interpersonal sensitivity [25]. Asemi et al. also showed in their research that interpersonal sensitivity scores in the samples indicated a statistically significant difference before and after training [26]. A study by Narimani et al also showed that there is a significant difference between abled and disabled people in the dimensions of interpersonal sensitivity- other than separation anxiety, and the problem of people who have been neglected and socially excluded may be due to lack of social skills. [19].This issue was less evident among the retirees of the Armed Forces due to the presence of people who have served together for a long time. The results of Wilhelm et al.'s study show that there is a significant relationship between interpersonal sensitivity subscales with depression and anxiety [27]. Also, Masillo et al. in their research found a negative relationship between high interpersonal sensitivity and low social performance [28]. Quality of life is one of the issues and one of the indicators that are measured to determine the needs and health conditions of the elderly and its improvement [29]. In the present study, the quality of life score of the elderly and its dimensions were assessed at a good level, which is in line with the Tavana study in 2020, which states that the current situation of police retirees in terms of physical, emotional, motivational and physical health is desirable [30]. In the study of Hosseini et al., the quality of life score of the elderly was 53.64, which is at an average and lower level than the present study. They consider low income, the majority of the elderly with a specific disease, low level of literacy and low financial support as the reasons for the average quality of life [31]. In their research, Shabani et al. have reported a lower average quality of life of the elderly compare to the present study; they stated that the feeling of rolelessness and consumerism reduces the power and strength of the elderly and having a monotonous life can be a factor in reducing their quality of life [32]. The quality of life of the elderly in the study of Babak et al. is moderate, which is not consistent with the present study. They also cited physical problems such as overweight and certain diseases of old age and mental problems such as depression as reasons for the average quality of life of the elderly in their study [33]. In the study of Wedgeworth et al., a strong correlation was observed between the variables of interpersonal sensitivity, social support and quality of life of the elderly [20]. .... [34]. In the Menlibayeva study, which was conducted to assess the quality of life of the retired population in Kazakhstan, the physical health and mental health index was respectively moderate at 42.6 and 43.2, [35]. Aydın and Hiçdurmaz's study also showed that if people control the interpersonal sensitivity with colleagues and others, they can succeed in their jobs and workplaces [35]. These studies are consistent with the side findings of the present study, which express the importance of in-service training in preparing individuals to prepare for retirement and the beginning of new periods in life. Given the difficulties of occupational activities in military and law enforcement issues, the importance of these trainings and pre-retirement training is more evident for this particular group of the elderly; this finding is also consistent with the results of Taji Qarajeh et al. [36]. Suggestions It is suggested that similar studies be performed at shorter intervals (for example 2 to 3 years) in similar groups in Tehran, Iran and other provinces in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of orders and directives of the command hierarchy in the Armed Forces based on the quality of life of retirees. The results of these studies should be reflected to the responsible authorities. Conclusions This study showed that the general situation of interpersonal sensitivity with quality of life in elderly retirees of the Armed Forces living in Tehran, Iran is slightly more favorable than the scores related to studies of the general elderly population of the country. This can be related to the systematic structure of the Armed Forces, emphatic and continuous in-service training, the existence of active retirement centers and the relatively successful activities of these centers, as well as the continued communication with people of the same age and colleagues. Clinical & Practical Tips in Police Medicine One of the practical points of this research for decision makers in the field of human resources of the Armed Forces is to focus on providing community-based and empowering training for the retirement of the covered forces, which leads to reduced interpersonal sensitivity and significantly increases the quality of life of Armed Forces retirees and their families. Another important point for the police is the need to have a human-centered and integrated view of the lives of employees (both employees and retirees) in order to take special measures to increase the psychological and physical resilience of people in their service years and the quality of life and job satisfaction of employees and retirees. One of the side findings of this study is the importance of continuous activity and more support for the activities of the Armed Forces Retirement Centers in order to increase interactions and reduce interpersonal sensitivity in retirees. Acknowledgments We thank all the managers, staff and members of the Retirees and Retirees Association of the Armed Forces of Tehran, Iran who helped us in this research. Conflict of Interest The authors state that there is no conflict of interest in the present study. Funding Sources All research costs are covered by the authors.
Keywords
