Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions in the Elderly Referring to Parks and Cultural Centers in Selected Areas of Tehran

Background and purpose: Interpersonal cognitive distortion is one of the psychological problems of old age that causes a person to not have a correct and logical understanding of issues. Continuing this problem causes anxiety and depression. Regarding the role of psychiatric nurses in recognizing cognitive disorders and inadequacies of people and the lack of sufficient studies in the field of cognitive distortions of the elderly, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the interpersonal cognitive distortions in the elderly referring to parks in selected areas of Tehran in 2021. Materials and methods: In this descriptive correlational study, the researcher took the sample in 2021  after receiving permission to conduct the research from Iran University of Medical Sciences. At first, according to the public relations guidance of Tehran Municipality, three parks, Laleh Park (west), Mellat Park (north), Shahr Park (center of Tehran) based on the old texture of the city and also the residence of the elderly population in these areas and the ease of access to the elderly And as the biggest parks were chosen as the research environment. The necessary sample size was calculated at the 95% confidence level and 80% test power of at least 200 people. In line with the research, each park was considered as a cluster. Then, the calculated sample size (200 samples) was divided by the number of clusters (i.e. 3) and the sample size in each cluster was determined to be 66 people (3 Shahr Park=66 people), (Laleh Park=67 people) and (Melat Park=67). After introducing himself and explaining about the study and its objectives and receiving informed consent, the researcher started sampling. Data collection tools included demographic information sheet, Abbreviated Mental Test Scale (AMTS), and Interpersonal Cognitive Distortion Questionnaire (ICDS). Interpersonal cognitive distortion questionnaire with 19 items in three dimensions; Rejection in interpersonal relationships is unrealistic expectations in relationships and misunderstanding in interpersonal relationships. The criteria for entering the study were being over 60 years old, reading and writing literacy, not having cognitive problems in the elderly, not having mental illness, and willing to participate in the study. The researcher went to the research environment one week on even days and another week on odd days in the afternoon for sampling. Due to the scattered nature of the research environment, first sampling was done from Laleh Park, then Shahr Park and finally from Mellat Park. Questionnaires were answered by self-report method within a maximum of 20 minutes. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 statistical software using descriptive (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage) and analytical (Pearson correlation, independent t, analysis of variance) statistical tests. Results: The average age of the elderly was 71.53 ± 4.71 years. 81% of the elderly were male and (%), 71.5% were married. 46.5% of the elderly have a bachelor's degree or higher. 32.5% of the elderly had three children and 72% were employed. In terms of the history of the disease, 40% of the elderly had a history of high blood pressure. The average total score of interpersonal cognitive distortions of the elderly in this study was 52.53 ± 8.29 out of the total score of 95, which indicates the average level of interpersonal cognitive distortions among the elderly. The results of investigating the dimensions of interpersonal cognitive distortions showed that interpersonal cognitive distortions in the dimension of unrealistic expectations in relationships had the highest mean score (2.91 ± 0.57) and in the dimension of rejection in interpersonal relationships had the lowest mean score (64 ± 0.52). 2/2) In examining the frequency and average score and standard deviation of the items of interpersonal cognitive distortions in its dimensions, the results showed that the highest average score in the dimension of rejection in interpersonal relationships is in the item "being aware of the people around you is beneficial" (1.01 3.27 ±) and the lowest average score in the item "I believe that when I am with others, they don't accept me" (2.14±0.84). The highest average score in the dimension of unrealistic expectations in relationships was in the item "I have to because not to hurt others, to be tolerant towards them." (3.31 ± 0.91) and the lowest average score in the item "I should behave as others want so that they are happy (satisfied) with me." (17/ was 2.51 ± 1). The highest average score of misunderstanding in interpersonal relationships was in the item "I feel what they are thinking even if they don't express it" (2.91 ± 0.97) and the lowest average score was in the item "Others" They should know what I'm thinking even if I don't express my thoughts" (2.26±0.84). There was a significant relationship between the age of the elderly and their interpersonal cognitive distortions (P=0.03). However, there was no significant relationship between other demographic characteristics of the elderly with the amount of interpersonal cognitive distortions (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study and the state of cognitive distortion of the elderly, it is recommended that nurses working in health service providers and medical centers take action to reduce cognitive distortions in them and take the necessary measures and interventions in a practical and considerate manner And considering the existence of a significant relationship between some individual-social variables of the elderly and cognitive distortions, they should be used in planning to reduce cognitive distortions in the elderly.