---

Introduction: Empty nest syndrome is one of the psychological challenges that the elderly face after their children leave home, and it can lead to depression and interpersonal problems. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of problem solving therapy on interpersonal problems in depressed elderly with this syndrome.
Methods: This research was conducted as a semi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design and with a control group. The statistical population included all depressed elderly with empty nest syndrome in the care and rehabilitation centers of Ardabil Welfare Organization in 2024. From this population, 28 people were selected from all the centers by available sampling method and replaced in two experimental and control groups (14 people in each group). The experimental group received 10 sessions of 90 minutes of problem solving therapy, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using depression, interpersonal problems and empty nest syndrome questionnaires and analyzed with mixed variance analysis.
Results:  The results showed that problem solving therapy (group factor) has an effect on only two components of frankness and humanization and openness (P<0.05). Also, significant differences were observed in interpersonal problems and depression in different stages . The time factor explains 58.7% and 72.7% of the variance of grades, respectively. In addition, the interaction effect between group and time was also significant, and affected 64.8% and 74.3% of the variance of scores.
conclusion: Problem solving therapy is introduced as an effective method in reducing interpersonal problems and depression in the elderly, and it is suggested to be used as a complementary treatment along with other treatment methods.
 

---

Introduction: The aging population is increasingly recognized as a significant demographic that requires focused attention in mental health research and interventions.The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy on social functioning and emotional well-being in the elderly.
Methods: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of all depressed elderly individuals with a history of trauma residing in Qazvin in the year 1402 (2023). The sample included 20 depressed elderly individuals with a history of trauma, identified based on a cutoff score of 21 on the Beck Depression Inventory and a cutoff score of 4 or higher on the Walker and Stang (1987) Elderly Questionnaire, along with clinical interviews. Participants were matched by gender and assigned to either the reminiscence therapy group or the control group (10 individuals in each group). The study utilized the social functioning questionnaire developed by Farokhnia et al. (2017) and the emotional well-being questionnaire by Keyes et al. (2003). The experimental group received 12 sessions of Butler’s reminiscence therapy. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS-26 software.
Results: The results indicated that reminiscence therapy had a significant effect on social functioning and emotional well-being (P < 0.001), and this effect remained stable during the follow-up period.
Conclusions: This research underscores the importance of reminiscence therapy as an effective method for improving the psychological and social status of depressed elderly individuals and suggests that this approach should be incorporated into therapeutic programs for this age group.