Effectiveness of Group Existential Approach Training On Death Anxiety and Loneliness in Students With Symptoms Of Adult Separation Anxiety

Abstract :

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of of existential approach training in a group manner on death anxiety and loneliness of students with symptoms of adult separation anxiety. A quasi-experimental research method with pretest-posttest, control group and 2-month follow-up was used in this study. The statistical population consisted of all female undergraduate students in 1399 in the Faculty of Education at the University of Isfahan who received a diagnosis of adult separation anxiety disorder. The sampling method was purposeful and 24 people were selected and randomly assigned in two groups of 12 people. The experimental group participated in 8 sessions of educational intervention based on the existential approach, for 120 minutes. And the control group were placed on a waiting list. The research instruments were Adult Separation Anxiety Inventory (ASA-27), Revised Loneliness Scale (UCLA) and Templer Death Anxiety Inventory (DAS). the data were analyzed by repeated measure analysis of variance. The results showed that teaching the existential approach in a group method has a significant effect on reducing death anxiety and loneliness of students with symptoms of adult separation anxiety. These results were also consistent after a 2-month follow-up. Therefore, according to the results, teaching the existential approach in a group manner can be used as one of the psychological interventions effective in reducing death anxiety and loneliness of students with symptoms of adult separation anxiety.