Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

Developing Schema-Informed Life Skills Training Program and Its Impact on Loneliness, Resilience, Social Isolation, and Life Purpose among Retired Men

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Alireza Nikakhtar 1
Ahmad Borjali 2
Zohreh Rafezi 3
Abolghasem Isamorad 3
Mohammad Asgari 2
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
10.48308/apsy.2026.242476.1934
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to develop a schema-informed life skills training program and examine its effectiveness in improving resilience, purpose in life, loneliness, and social isolation among retired men.

Method: A mixed-methods design was employed. In the qualitative phase, the training program was developed using theoretical literature and expert consultation. In the quantitative phase, a mixed repeated-measures design was used. The statistical population consisted of approximately 700,000 retired men aged 50–75 years who were members of retirement associations in Tehran during spring 2025. Based on G*Power calculations, 34 participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Measures included the Resilience Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Social Isolation Scale, and Purpose in Life Scale. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance.

Results: The intervention significantly increased resilience (p = 0.001) and purpose in life (p < 0.001), while significantly reducing loneliness (p = 0.002). However, no significant change was observed in social isolation. The effects remained stable at follow-up assessment.

Conclusion: The schema-informed life skills training program effectively enhanced several dimensions of psychological well-being in retired men. The program may serve as a useful intervention for promoting adjustment, resilience, and meaning in life during retirement.
Keywords
Loneliness
Noncognitive
Purpose
Retirement
Subjects
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