A new approach to managing social support in the relationship between coping styles with mental health of elderly and retired employees

Subject Areas : Policy making, Human resource Management, Transformation Management, Organizational Behavior Management, Adaptive Management and Development

Shabnam Mirjalali ¹ , Mojtaba Tamadoni ²

1 - MSc in General Psychology, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Family Counseling Department, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-06-10 Accepted : 2024-06-20 Published : 2024-09-25

Keywords: Social support, university, mental health coping style,

Abstract :

 A new approach to managing social support in the relationship between coping styles with mental health of elderly and retired employees

Shabnam Mirjalali

MSc in General Psychology, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Mojtaba Tamadoni

Assistant Professor, Family Counseling Department, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Received 10 June 2024    | Accepted 19 June 2024 

Extended Abstract

 

The purpose of this study is to determine the mediating role of social support in the relationship between coping style and mental health in elderly and retired employees of Islamic Azad University.

the current research is based on a quantitative research approach and data collection has been done by two library and field methods. Correlation research 283 of these people was selected in an accessible way. The research tools are three questionnaires: social support by Sherburne and Stewart (1991), general health by Goldberg and Hiller (1979) and coping style by Lazarus and Folkman (1980).

The results were analyzed with the help of correlation test and path analysis by SPSS software. The findings showed that there is a positive relationship between coping styles and mental health, there is a positive relationship between social support and mental health, there is a positive relationship between social support and coping styles, and also social support in the relationship between styles coping with mental health plays a mediating role.

Based on these results, treatments based on social support coping style can be prepared to improve the mental health of the elderly and retirees.      

 

According to the results of the research data, it is recommended that the necessary educational and cultural measures be taken by governmental and non-governmental organizations to create and strengthen intergenerational communication and form a positive attitude towards the phenomenon of aging and the elderly among families, especially children and youth, and then promote a broad family culture at the community level so that the elderly enjoy a higher level of social support. In this regard, mass media and religious and national capacities can be used.

It is also recommended that light and suitable jobs be assigned to the elderly according to their physical and mental abilities, and that free counseling centers based on group therapy and cultural and literary associations be established for the elderly and their families so that both the elderly themselves can have a sense of self-esteem and their families can become better acquainted with this period and understand their elderly better and support them better. It is also suggested that the organization should not forget about this group of veteran and experienced employees and use their experiences and backgrounds in many matters and their valuable consulting services.

 On the other hand, it is also suggested that programs and courses be considered for this group of individuals so that they do not become useless and empty and can still consider themselves valuable and useful personalities for society and the organization.

Any research will face a series of limitations and problems during its implementation, and the present research also had limitations, including the following: The lack of appropriate and necessary cooperation of some subjects with the researcher. On the other hand, the coordination of the subjects to conduct the research sometimes encountered problems that delayed the research work.

Keywords: Social Support, Light University, Mental Health Coping          

 

 

Contribution of authors

All authors have participated in this research in equal proportion.

 

Ethical approval

Written informed consent was obtained from the individuals for their anonym zed information to be published in this article.

 

Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interest are declared by the authors.

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