بررسی شفقت‌درمانی (CFT) بر احساس گناه بازمانده و بهزیستی روان‌شناختی با نقش واسطه‌ای بخشش خود در سالمندان دچار ترومای ناشی از جنگ

امینه جلالی; لیلا سادات  مدرسی; پریسا  کلاهی; ارسلان  برکت; طیبه  دلشاد; سهیلا  رحمانی

Authors

Amineh Jalali Department of Psychology, Si.C., Islamic Azad University, Sirjan, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2720-9480
Leila Sadat Modarresi M.A. Student, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9245-2956
Parisa Kolahi Ph.D., Department of Health Psychology, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5338-711X
Arsalan Barekat Ph.D. Student, Department of Health Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6070-3934
Tayebeh Delshad M.A., Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7625-0057
Soheila Rahmani Ph.D., Department of Health Psychology, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9897-7017

Keywords:

Compassion, Focused Therapy (CFT), survivor guilt, psychological well, being, self, forgiveness, older adults, war trauma

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) on reducing survivor guilt and improving psychological well-being through the mediating role of self-forgiveness among older adults exposed to war-related trauma.

Methodology: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of elderly women residing in Kerman City during April 2026 who had experienced trauma related to the Ramadan Battle. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of Compassion-Focused Therapy, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Research instruments included the Survivor Guilt Questionnaire, Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Heartland Self-Forgiveness Subscale. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and path analysis in SPSS version 27.

Findings: The results of repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant effects of time, group, and time-by-group interaction on survivor guilt, psychological well-being, and self-forgiveness (P<0.001). Findings demonstrated that Compassion-Focused Therapy significantly reduced survivor guilt and significantly increased psychological well-being and self-forgiveness in the experimental group compared to the control group. Furthermore, path analysis confirmed the significant mediating role of self-forgiveness in the relationship between CFT and survivor guilt reduction (indirect β=0.36), as well as between CFT and psychological well-being enhancement (indirect β=0.48). The stability of treatment effects was also confirmed at follow-up assessment.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Compassion-Focused Therapy, by strengthening self-forgiveness processes, is an effective intervention for reducing the psychological consequences of war trauma among older adults. Through decreasing self-criticism and fostering a compassionate attitude toward the self, this intervention reduced survivor guilt and enhanced psychological well-being.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abudayya, A., Bruaset, G. T. F., Nyhus, H. B., Aburukba, R., & Tofthagen, R. (2023). Consequences of war-related traumatic stress among Palestinian young people in the Gaza Strip: A scoping review. Mental Health & Prevention, 32, 200305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2023.200305

Damavandian, A., Golshani, F., Saffarinia, M., & Baghdasarians, A. (2022). Effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy on aggression, self-harm behaviors, and emotional self-regulation in delinquent adolescents. Journal-of-Psychological-Science, 21(112), 797-818. https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.21.112.797

Davidson, A. C., & Mellor, D. J. (2021). The adjustment of children of Australian Vietnam veterans: is there evidence for the transgenerational transmission of the effects of war-related trauma? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 35(3), 345-351. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00897.x

Hadi, F., Lai, B. S., & Llabre, M. M. (2013). Life Outcomes Influenced by War-Related Experiences During the Gulf Crisis. Anxiety Stress & Coping. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2013.832219

Karimi Ah, A. A., & Abbasi, G. (2023). The Effectiveness of "Compassion-Focused Therapy" on Guilt and Shame in Women with Eating Disorders. Journal of Health Promotion Management, 13(1), 14-24.

Kotta, I., Dezsi-Benyovszki, A., Kalcza-Janosi, K., Marschalko, E. E., & Kanyaro, K. (2024). Intolerance of Uncertainty and Neuroticism: Transdiagnostic Vulnerabilities and War-Related Safety Preparatory Behavior. Journal of Loss & Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2024.2407086

Mahmoudpour, A., Dehghanpour, S., Ejadi, S., & Mohamadi, S. (2021). The Effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy on Distress Tolerance and Feeling of Guilt in Mothers of Children with Physical-Motor Disability. counseling_journal, 20(79), 269-289. https://doi.org/10.18502/qjcr.v20i79.7350

Peyvanpour Kaloukhi, M., Amirnia, E., & Rajai, A. (2016). Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on improving quality of life and anxiety in individuals with war-related post-traumatic stress disorder.3rd International Conference on Research in Engineering, Science, and Technology https://civilica.com/doc/557638/

Randhawa, A. K., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2025). Online Self-Compassion Interventions and Wellbeing Outcomes: A Systematic Review of RCTs. Mindfulness, 16, 1795-1820. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02606-8

Ranjouri, S., Meyer, D., & Bates, G. W. (2025). Self-Compassion Components and Emotional Regulation Strategies as Predictors of Psychological Distress and Well-Being. Behavioral Sciences, 15(11), 1576. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111576

Rezagholiyan, M., Nemati, F., & Hashemi, T. (2025). Development of a Model of Students' Subjective Well-Being Based on Attachment Styles, Self-Compassion, and Emotion Regulation Styles with the Mediating Role of Quality of Life. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS), 6(1), 21-33. https://doi.org/10.61838/

Shamsababdi, P. E., & Dehshiri, G. (2024). Self-Compassion, Anxiety and Depression Symptoms; The Mediation of Shame and Guilt. Psychological Reports, 129(1), 127-143. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241227525

Takahashi, E., Fukuda, R., Takahashi, T., & Katsuragawa, T. (2025). Self-Compassion, Well-Being, and Body Image Concern in Young Japanese Women: The Role of Positive and Negative Facets of Self-Compassion. PLoS One, 20(11), e0334753. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334753

Tang, T. L. P., Ibrahim, A. H. S., & West, W. B. (2002). Effects of war-related stress on the satisfaction of human needs: The United States and the Middle East. International Journal of Management Theory and Practices, 3(1), 35-53. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234118631_

Yılmazer, E., & Çınaroğlu, M. (2024). Transformative Emotional Journeys: Reconceptualizing Guilt, Shame, Hope, and Compassion in Addiction Therapy. Meriç Uluslararası Sosyal Ve Stratejik Araştırmalar Dergisi, 8(2), 123-156. https://doi.org/10.54707/meric.1473774