Effectiveness of Guided Visualization and Mental Imagery on Perceived Stress, Psychological Well –Being and Sleep Quality in Armed Forces Retirement

The effect of retirement as a significant stage of a turning point in the person's life and its effect on various physiological and psychological capacities in different aspects are significant. Hence, the importance of identifying interventions in order to increase body and mental health among retirees is important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of guided visualization and mental imagery on perceived stress, psychological well-being, and sleep quality in armed forces retirement.

The present study had a semi-experimental design and used pre-tests and post-tests. A total of 60 Armed Forces Retirement (60-70 years), were selected from among the military retirees in Tehran and were randomly assigned into two groups of 30 (experimental group: 30 men; control group: 30 men). During 12 sessions, Patients were treated 3 times weekly with guided visualization and mental imagery. Perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), psychological well-being (Ryff’s Psychological Well-being Scales), and quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were measured before and after the intervention.

The results of the covariance test showed a significant decrease in perceived stress (P≤0.01) in the armed forces retirement in the intervention group, as well as significantly increased psychological well-being (P≤0/01) and sleep quality (P≤0/01) in the armed forces retirement in the intervention group, but no significant difference was observed in the control group.

The results of this study supported the claim that training-guided visualization and mental imagery technique could reduce perceived stress and increased psychological well–being and sleep quality in the armed forces retirement through its effect on the coping mechanism, leading to the promotion of well-being. This study that guided visualization and mental imagery technique could prevent and control perceived stress and improve Psychological well-being and sleep quality in armed forces retirement in order to strengthen their mental health.