Spiritual Experience, Depression, and Quality of Life in the Elderly in Mojokerto, East Java

BACKGROUND: Elderly experience physical infirmity, brain devolution, slow metabolic rate, slow cell replacement, which eventually have inadvertent impact on cognitive capability, emotional stability, and social interaction. These natural changes may cause depression in the elderly. Spiritual experience may improve coping strategy, lower depression, and enhance quality of life. This study aimed to estimate the relationship between spiritual experience, depression, and quality of life in the elderly. SUBJECT AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study, conducted in Mojokerto, East Java. A sample of 100 elderly was selected by random sampling from 18 villages in Mojokerto. The exogenous variable in this study was spiritual experience, which was measured by a set of questionnaire. The endogenous mediating variable was the rate of depression, which was measured by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The quality of life in the elderly was measured by Index Barthel. Psychological wellbeing and social relationship were measured by a struc-tured questionnaire. The relationships among variables were estimated using Structural Equation Model (SEM) run in AMOS. RESULTS: The spiritual experience had negative effect on depression, and it was statistically significant (p=0.004). Larger spiritual experience reduced depression level. In turn depression level had negative effect on quality of life, and it was statistically significant (p=0.003). Deeper depression reduced quality of life. CONCLUSION: Spiritual experience can reduce depression and enhance quality of life in the elderly. Keywords: spiritual experience, depression, quality of life, elderl

The Improvement of Cognitive Function and Decrease the Level of Stress in the Elderly with Brain Gym

The decline in cognitive function in the elderly, which is part of the aging process can result in long-term memory problems and information processes, so it is often regarded as a stressor that causes stress and perceived as an adverse threat. Brain gym can improve memory, decreased emotional stress and the clearer mind. The aim of the study analyzed the effectiveness of brain gym in improving cognitive function and decreased the level of stress of elderly. Pre-experimental study of one group pretest-posttest design with 35 samples selected by simple random sampling. The frequency of Brain Gym exercise twice a week with duration of every 15 minutes and done in four weeks. Measurement of stress level using DASS, while Cognitive function with MMSE. Data analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The results showed improvement of cognitive function in elderly and decreased stress level after brain gym (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009 at α = 0.05). Brain gyms are more effective at lowering stress levels than older cognitive function improvements that require longer and more intense time to improve concentration and elderly memory.   Keywords: Brain Gym, Kognitif, Stress, Elderl

Challange and Fighting Social Stigma in Patient with Schizophrenia in Indonesia.

Purpose - This article aims to give an opinion on the cause of still the case of pasung in Indonesia, physical restraint and reduction in people with mental illness (called pasung in Indonesia), still found in Indonesia, government program †Indonesia free of pasung†still can not erase Indonesia from pasung. Design/methodology/approach -The approach to literature study causes the escape especially social stigma that occurs to make the case of the pipe still continues to exist Findings -The findings of many literature studies suggest that social stigma is a cause of social restraint in patients with severe psychiatric disorders Originality/value -The value of this study envolve Empowering people with mental disorders through social intervention can reduce the side effects of antipsychotic drugs and simultaneously help self-stigma in people with mental disorder