The quality of life (QoL) of the elderly and elder abuse are growing public health concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of abuse and the association between QoL and abuse in older adults. Multistage random cluster sampling, along with valid QoL (LEIPAD: LEIden, the Netherlands; PADua, Italy; Helsinki, Finland) and abuse questionnaires, were used to assess QoL and elder abuse. Path analysis was performed using Mplus. SPSS and AMOS were used for the other analyses. A total of 386 elderly individuals with a mean age of 68.00±6.10 years were interviewed, of whom 200 (51.8%), 289 (74.9%), and 376 (97.4%) were women, educated, and married, respectively. Moreover, 167 (43.2%) had low-to-moderate QoL, and 108 (27.9%) had experienced a moderate level of abuse. QoL and abuse were inversely associated (r=-0.253), with men (β=-0.24) more affected than women (β=-0.21). Musculoskeletal disorders were also strong determinants of QoL in the elderly. QoL was strongly associated with emotional abuse, while abuse was highly related to the social component of QoL. Furthermore, emotional abuse was the type of abuse most significantly associated with the self-care, depression/anxiety, cognitive, and social components of QoL. Sexual abuse, violation of personal rights, and neglect were the main determinants of the physical functioning, life satisfaction, and sexual domains of QoL, respectively. Nearly half of the elderly individuals lacked a high QoL, and at least one-fourth had experienced some form of abuse. Elder abuse was correlated inversely with QoL. Therefore, preventive interventions are recommended to decrease elder abuse in the family, community, and other settings.

Background: Andropause is a condition of decreasing testosterone in men that usually begins to occur at about 40 years of age. Many men find it difficult to acknowledge there may be a problem by refusing to even talk about the symptoms. Aims: The study was conducted to the standards of MASSQ (2012) within male older adults to introduce a relevant criterion. Materials and Methods: About 382 men with age range of 50-80 and with the mean age of 65.3 ± 2.32 were sampled with the cluster-ratio sampling method from the eight cities of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. The aged samples replied to the 25 items of MASSQ. Results: Coefficients of Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.89), split-half (0.91), convergent validity (0.72), divergent validity (−0.32), and criterion validity (0.67) were estimated, which were significant at P < 0.01. The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the 25-items of MASSQ for aged samples are organized into four factors (sexual, somatic, psychic, and behavioral) which clarify 79% of the scale's variance. Second-order confirmatory factor analysis pointed out that the factors are well-matched up onto a principal factor. Consequently, the four-factor model was well appropriate for the data by the fit index techniques for adjusting the scale [adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.92, goodness-of-fit statistic = 0.91, root mean square error of approximation = 0.006, incremental fit index = 0.94, normed fit index = 0.91, comparative fit index = 0.97]. Conclusions: The results pointed to the well-adjusted reliability and validity of MASSQ and its usefulness for the relevant studies as well.

Objectives. Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is an important factor in promoting mental health. Assessing this structure is required for early recognition and intervention in mental health problems. To date, there was no tool to assess it among Iranian adolescents, so this study was aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (AMHLQ) among Iranian female students. Method. The study instrument was a Persian version of the AMHLQ prepared through a translation and back‐translation process. In this cross‐sectional study, 275 female students completed the AMHLQ, and the Adolescent Strengths, and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results. Findings of content, construct validity tests, Cronbach’s alpha, and split‐half coefficient demonstrated that the AMHLQ had satisfactory validity and suitable reliability. The exploratory factor analysis showed four dimensions of the AMHLQ: (1) knowledge of mental health problems (α = 0.89); (2) erroneous beliefs/stereotypes (α = 0.89); (3) help‐seeking and first aid skills (α = 0.86); and (4) self‐help strategies (α = 0.74). Conclusion. The findings showed that the tool was confirmed by questions and subscales, and this questionnaire was a valid and reliable tool in assessing level differences of MHL and in determining the impact of programs designed to improve MHL in Iranian female adolescents.

Introduction: Women heads of households (widows or divorcees) are vulnerable groups in society who face various psychological problems and have less resilience than other women. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of resilience educational intervention on the psychological capital of poor widows in Fasa city, south Iran. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 120 widows covered by Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation were selected by a simple random sampling method based on a random Efron algorithm (Efron coin) and randomly assigned into two interventions and control groups (60 people each) in the second half of 2021. About 8 training sessions on resilience and psychological capital were held for the experimental group through training clips, audio transmissions, and podcasts. Data were collected using demographic characteristics forms, widowers' resilience assessment questionnaires, and Luten's psychological capital scale for testing and control before and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed with Chi-square test, independent and paired t-test using SPSS V. 26 software. Results: There were differences between the two groups at pretest in demographic variables and psychological capital and its subscales, and resilience and its subscales (P ≥ 0.05).. But two months after the educational intervention, a statistically significant increase was observed in the experimental group in these variables compared to the control group (p < 0.05). It indicates that there was an improvement in the outcomes from pretest to post-test within the intervention and no change in the outcomes over time within the control group. Discussion and Conclusion: Using a resilience-based educational approach as a novelty of this research to promote psychological capital and resilience can increase resilience and psychological capital in widows. Then, considering the positive effect of this educational approach and the low cost of this intervention, it seems that the implementation of such interventions should be included in the plans related to widows.

Objectives: The increasing trend in aging population raises the need to pay attention to the daily activities of the elderly and their social support as an effective factor in promoting their health. This study aims to investigate the correlation of perceived social support and demographic variables with the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in older adults living in rural communities in Iran. Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive-analytical study with cross-sectional design conducted on 430 elderly people aged ≥60 years living in a rural community in Iran (Bayza county located 45 km away from Shiraz city) who were selected using a convenience sampling method. Procidano & Heller’s Perceived Social Support - Family Scale (PSS-Fa) and the ADL scale for the elderly were used for data collection. The ADL questionnaire’s internal consistency by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was obtained 0.96. The PSS-Fa with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 has acceptable internal consistency. The reliability of its Persian version using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was obtained 87%. Data were analyzed in SPSS V. 25 software using multivariate ANOVA and regression analysis. Results: The mean±SD age of the participants was 69.67±7.067 years. The mean score of PSS-Fa and the ADL scale was reported 16.55± 5.16 and 55.10±3.07, respectively. Perceived social support, education and age had significant effect correlation with the ability to perform ADL in the elderly (P0.05). The age factor was inversely correlated with the ability to perform ADL; hence, the independence of older adults decreases with the increase of age. Conclusion: Many demographic variables and social support affect the ability to perform ADL in the elderly. Social support can be used as a social investment to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, considering that one of the duties of health care providers is to improve the health status of the elderly, it is necessary for health care providers to increase social support and maintain and promote a healthy and active life for them through educational programs and periodic physical examinations.