Zohreh Taraghi1, Hamideh Azimi lolaty2, Reza Ali mohammadpour3, Afsaneh Oladzad abbasabadi4*
Risk of social isolation and feeling hopelessness increases with aging and decreased physical and mental faculties among the elderly and this would be the major root of depression. Hence, this study aimed to determine the relationship between daily spiritual experiences and socio-demographic variables with hope in elderlies covered by Behshahr Healthcare Centers in 2016 to further contribute to developing professional and health programs for the elderly. This research was a descriptive-correlational study. The study population consisted of all individuals aged above 60 years covered by healthcare centers in Behshahr, Iran. Using stratified random sampling method, 374 individuals aged above 60 years were selected. Data collection tools included demographic information checklists, Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES), and Snyder's Adult Hope Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, independent sample T-test, Scheffe's test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with the SPSS Software version 21. The findings of ANOVA and t-test showed that several factors affecting the elderlies' hope include gender (p=0.005), education level (p=0.001), marital status (p=0.001), employment (p =0.001), leisure time passing (p=0.002), income level (p=0.001), lifestyle (p=0.001), exercise pattern (p=0.045), entertainment (p=0.001) and chronic disease status (p=0.025). On the other hand, factors such as age (p=0.021), marital status (p=0.021), housing status (p=0.023), income level (p=0.007), lifestyle (p=0.001), exercise pattern (p=0.05) and entertainment program (p=0.001) have impacts on their daily spiritual experiences. Multiple regression analysis also indicated that the variable education level has a positive and significant effect on daily spiritual experiences in elderlies; however, the variables employment and leisure time activities significantly have negative impact on the hope status among the elderly.
