The Relationship between Self-compassion and Attitude to Ageing in Middle aged People

Since a favorable attitude toward old age may be associated with a feeling of well-being, improved quality of life, and long-term helth outcomes in the elderly population, it is possible to identify the related modifiable factors before entering old age to start a positive elderly life. Self-compassion is a variable that improves well-being and life satisfaction in elderly.

This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlation study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-compassion and attitude towards ageing in the middle-aged population of Tehran in 2018-2019. The research population was all middle-aged women and men (30-59 years old) presenting to the health centers of Shemiranat District. One hundred and thirteen participants were selected through stratified sampling, with appropriate allocation to the number of referrals. The research setting was all health centers of Shemiranat District. The data collection tool was a three-part questionnaire, including a) demographic characteristics, b) Self-compassion Scale c) Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the SPSS software version 16.

According to the results, the highest percentage of the research units had a moderate level of self-compassion (69%). The results indicated that the highest mean score achieved in common humanity component (3.58±0.58) and the lowest mean score obtained in self-judgment component (2.83±0.68). The results showed a significant correlation between self-compassion and attitudes to ageing (P value˂0.05).

The results of this study indicated a significant correlation between self-compassion and attitude to ageing in the middle-aged population of Tehran. The result of this study can be used to teach self-compassion to the elderly to improve the coping capabilities to meet the ever-changing challenges and needs of healthy ageing and start a positive elderly life.