Effectiveness of a Logotherapy-Based Counseling Program in Reducing Alexithymia among Older Retirees
Keywords:
Meaning-centered counseling, Alexithymia, Retirees, Elderly
Abstract
This study aims to identify the effectiveness of a counseling program based on meaning-centered therapy in reducing alexithymia among retired elderly individuals by examining the differences between the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements of the experimental group and comparing them with the control group. The study adopted a quasi-experimental methodology with a two-group design, including an experimental group and a control group, with the application of pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements to verify the impact of the program on retirees in the city of Jerusalem. The findings indicated that the counseling program based on meaning-centered therapy proved statistically effective in reducing alexithymia levels among participants in the experimental group. Post-test results revealed significant differences between the two groups in favor of the experimental group, reflecting the program’s effect in modifying emotional traits and enhancing psychological capacities. The results further demonstrated the continuity of this positive effect six weeks after the completion of the counseling sessions, as confirmed by follow-up measurements, highlighting the consolidation of positive psychological changes among participants. The study recommends generalizing the program in institutions concerned with the elderly and retirees, integrating meaning-centered counseling into professional training programs for psychological counselors, and developing practical guidelines based on the existential model.
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26. Preece, D. A. (2024). Alexithymia profiles and depression, anxiety, and stress. Journal of Affective Disorders, 335, 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.045
27. Preece, D., Becerra, R., Robinson, K., & Gross, J. J. (2018). The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire: Psychometric properties and relations with affective symptoms in a clinical sample. Journal of Affective Disorders, 227, 393–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.072.
28. Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39.
29. Santorelli, G. D., & Ready, R. E. (2015). Alexithymia and executive function in younger and older adults. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29 (7), 938–955. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2015.1123296
30. Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of 'alexithymic' characteristics in psychosomatic patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 22(2), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.1159/000286529 PubMed+1.
31. Taylor, G. J. (1984). Alexithymia: Concept, measurement, and implications for treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141(6), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.6.725.
32. Wong, P. T. P. (2010). Meaning therapy: An integrative and positive existential psychotherapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 40(2), 85–93.
33. Xu, J., Zhang, H., & Wang, X. (2024). The effect of alexithymia on self-perceived aging among community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions: The mediating role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1437478. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1437478.
2. الزهراني، م. (2020). فاعلية الإرشاد بالمعنى في تحسين التدفق النفسي لدى طلبة الجامعة. مجلة علم النفس التربوي، 14(1)، 7793 -,
3. السرحان، م. (2016). الصحة النفسية لدى المتقاعدين: دراسة ميدانية. دار المسيرة.
4. الشمري، ن. (2021). فاعلية برنامج إرشادي قائم على العلاج بالدراما في خفض الألكسيثيميا لدى أطفال الروضة. مجلة التربية الخاصة، 8(2)، 4562- .
5. عبد الله، ع. (2020). فاعلية العلاج المعرفي السلوكي في خفض أعراض الألكسيثيميا لدى البالغين المكتئبين. مجلة العلوم النفسية، 12(2)، 101115-.
6. فرانكل، ف. (2004). الإنسان يبحث عن معنى (ترجمة عبد الله العروي، ص. 121). دار القلم.
7. يونس، م.، و أنور، س. (2014). الذكاء الانفعالي وعلاقته بالألكسيثيميا لدى طلاب الجامعة. مجلة العلوم النفسية، 22(3)، 15–35.
8. Abdollahi, A., Abu Talib, M., & Ismail, Z. (2024). The effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing emotional distress among older adults. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00411-w
9. Abdollahi, H., Mahmoudi, H., & Aghajani, S. (2024). The effectiveness of logotherapy on the sense of energy and spiritual self-esteem among older people. Journal of Aging Psychology, 9(4), 343–359. https://doi.org/10.22126/JAP.2024.9587.1729 .
10. Abdullah, A. (2020). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing alexithymia symptoms among depressed adults. (in Arabic). Journal of Psychological Sciences, 12 (2), 101–115.
11. Alam, F. H., El-Sayed, R. M., & Hassan, M. A. (2024). Effect of logotherapy training on self-esteem and communication skills among elderly. International Egyptian Journal of Nursing Sciences and Research, 5(2), 112–130. https://journals.ekb.eg/article_278176_4586d1899a1b6ef19e0a7e002998a97d.pdf
12. Al-Shammari, H. (2021). The impact of drama-based counseling program on reducing alexithymia among kindergarten children. (in Arabic).Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, 22(1), 134–150.
13. Al-Zahrani, A. (2020). The role of logotherapy in enhancing psychological flow among university students .(in Arabic). Journal of Psychological and Educational Research, 18(2), 56–72.
14. Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D. A., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale—Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(94)90005-1.
15. Denton, F. T., & Spencer, B. G. (2009). What Is Retirement? A Review and Assessment of Alternative Concepts and Measures. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement, 28(1), 63–76. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980809090047.
16. Denton, M., & Spencer, H. (2009). The impact of retirement on identity and daily structure: A Canadian perspective. Canadian Journal on Aging, 28(1), 45–58. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-19334-002
17. Faye, A., Tadke, R., Gawande, S., Bhave, S., & Bhagat, S. (2022). Assessment of alexithymia and cognition in elderly patients with depression: A cross-sectional exploratory study. Journal of Geriatric Mental Health, 9(2), 102–110. https://doi.org/10.4103/jgmh.jgmh_11_22 Lippincott+1.
18. Humer, E., Pieh, C., & Probst, T. (2025). Group logotherapy for older adults: Effects on mental health and loneliness. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 64(1), 22–35. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/johc.12216
19. Ibrahim, S. (2022). The impact of logotherapy on life orientation among blind students . (in Arabic), Arab Journal of Special Education, 28(2), 77–94.
20. Masiha, S., & Khodayari Moghadam, A. (2025). The effectiveness of group logotherapy on developmental challenges in middle-aged married women. Psychology of Woman Journal, 6(2), 10–28. https://www.magiran.com/paper/2873525
21. Mohammadi, A., Hosseini, S., & Rezaei, M. (2017). Comparative effects of cognitive therapy and logotherapy on general health in elderly. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 22(2), 123–132.
22. Mohammadi, M., Rezaei, M., & Ghasemi, A. (2017). Comparing the effectiveness of cognitive therapy and logotherapy in improving general health among the elderly. Iranian Journal of Aging, 12(1), 15–26.
23. Onor, M. L., Trevisiol, M., Spano, M., Aguglia, E., & Paradiso, S. (2010). Alexithymia and aging: A neuropsychological perspective. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(5), 518–527. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20697.
24. Onor, M. L., Trevisiol, M., Spano, P. F., Aguglia, E., & Saina, M. (2010). Alexithymia and verbal executive functions in elderly people. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(5), 507–513.
25. Panahali, S., & Zanjani, H. (2022). Group logotherapy and psychological resilience in women with alexithymia. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78 (3), 412–425. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23145
26. Preece, D. A. (2024). Alexithymia profiles and depression, anxiety, and stress. Journal of Affective Disorders, 335, 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.045
27. Preece, D., Becerra, R., Robinson, K., & Gross, J. J. (2018). The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire: Psychometric properties and relations with affective symptoms in a clinical sample. Journal of Affective Disorders, 227, 393–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.072.
28. Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39.
29. Santorelli, G. D., & Ready, R. E. (2015). Alexithymia and executive function in younger and older adults. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29 (7), 938–955. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2015.1123296
30. Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of 'alexithymic' characteristics in psychosomatic patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 22(2), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.1159/000286529 PubMed+1.
31. Taylor, G. J. (1984). Alexithymia: Concept, measurement, and implications for treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141(6), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.6.725.
32. Wong, P. T. P. (2010). Meaning therapy: An integrative and positive existential psychotherapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 40(2), 85–93.
33. Xu, J., Zhang, H., & Wang, X. (2024). The effect of alexithymia on self-perceived aging among community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions: The mediating role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1437478. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1437478.
Published
2025-09-19
How to Cite
Rana Saeed Mahmoud Abu Ta’ah, & Ahmed Abdel Latif Abu Asaad. (2025). Effectiveness of a Logotherapy-Based Counseling Program in Reducing Alexithymia among Older Retirees. Journal of Arts, Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, (124), 114-129. https://doi.org/10.33193/JALHSS.124.2025.1502
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