The Effect of Group Counseling Program on Reducing Depression and Negative Attitudes Towards Elderly Age in Jordan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of group counseling on reducing depression and negative attitudes towards elderly age of a sample consisted of sixty male and female elderly age, who were randomly distributed equally into two groups based on their responses on the depression and negative attitudes toward elderly age scales, which have been developed for the purpose of the study. The two instruments were used before and after the completion of the counseling program. The results showed that there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups on the depression and negative attitudes towards elderly age, in favor of the experimental group. There were also significant differences due to gender on the depression scale favoring males. No significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups that can be attributed to the interaction between gender and group.