Effectiveness of Group Logotherapy on Reducing Depression and Increasing Hope in Elderly with Empty Nest Syndrome

The aim of the study was to examine effectiveness of group logotherapy on reducing depression and increasing hope in elderly with empty nest syndrome living in city of Ghorveh. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest and a control group. The statistical population included all men and women living in Ghorveh whose children had left them. The sample group consisted of 24 individuals who were selected using convenient sampling. Data were collected using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) and Snyder’s Adult Hope Scale (AHS). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (covariance analysis). The results showed that the average posttest depression score was significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group, and that the average posttest hope score was significantly higher in the experimental group. The findings suggest that group logotherapy has positive effects in reducing depression and increasing hope in elderly with empty nest syndrome.