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Volume 17, Issue 4 (2025)
Iran J War Public Health 2025, 17(4): 349-354 |
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Received: 2025/07/8 | Accepted: 2025/08/20 | Published: 2025/08/26
Received: 2025/07/8 | Accepted: 2025/08/20 | Published: 2025/08/26
How to cite this article
Menati R, Omidi N, Omidi M, Mohamadpour S. Effect of Communication Skills Training Intervention on Reducing Social Isolation. Iran J War Public Health 2025; 17 (4) :349-354
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URL: http://ijwph.ir/article-1-1600-en.html
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1- Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
2- Department of Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Physiology, Malekshahi Office of the Ministry of Education, Ilam, Iran
2- Department of Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Physiology, Malekshahi Office of the Ministry of Education, Ilam, Iran
Abstract (801 Views)
Aims: Social isolation is a condition in which individuals, due to structural or individual reasons, are deprived of meaningful social interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a communication skills training intervention in reducing social isolation among ageing individuals in Ilam city.
Materials & Methods: The quasi-experimental study using a pre-test–post-test method and a control group was conducted on 40 ageing individuals (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) with a mean age of 68.4±5.2 years, selected via convenience sampling. The intervention included eight 90-minute sessions of communication skills training. Data were collected using the Standard Social Isolation Scale (SLSI) and analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing dependent t-tests, independent t-tests, and analyses of covariance (ANCOVA).
Findings: The mean age of participants was 68.4±5.2 years, and 57.5% were female. The total social isolation score in the experimental group decreased from 62.3±7.1 to 43.4±6.2. Significant improvements were observed in emotional isolation (5.4±1.2), interactional isolation (5.5±1.5), structural isolation (3.4±1.8), and perceived isolation (4.6±1.3). The control group showed no significant changes.
Conclusion: Communication skills training is significantly effective in reducing social isolation among ageing individuals.
Materials & Methods: The quasi-experimental study using a pre-test–post-test method and a control group was conducted on 40 ageing individuals (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) with a mean age of 68.4±5.2 years, selected via convenience sampling. The intervention included eight 90-minute sessions of communication skills training. Data were collected using the Standard Social Isolation Scale (SLSI) and analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing dependent t-tests, independent t-tests, and analyses of covariance (ANCOVA).
Findings: The mean age of participants was 68.4±5.2 years, and 57.5% were female. The total social isolation score in the experimental group decreased from 62.3±7.1 to 43.4±6.2. Significant improvements were observed in emotional isolation (5.4±1.2), interactional isolation (5.5±1.5), structural isolation (3.4±1.8), and perceived isolation (4.6±1.3). The control group showed no significant changes.
Conclusion: Communication skills training is significantly effective in reducing social isolation among ageing individuals.
Keywords:
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