The Effectiveness of the ‘Friendship Program’ in Enhancing Perceived Social Support and Psychological Resilience among the Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study

This study assessed the effectiveness of the “Friendship Program,” a psychosocial intervention designed to increase perceived social support and psychological resilience among elderly individuals in institutional settings in Jordan. Using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a single experimental group, the study involved 27 elderly participants and 27 student volunteers trained in basic counseling and communication skills. The six-week program featured structured sessions based on social learning and cognitive-behavioral principles, designed to promote emotional expression, cognitive engagement, and interpersonal bonds. To evaluate changes in social support and psychological resilience, the Social Support Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were administered at three different time points. The results indicated that participants experienced enhanced perceived social support and improved psychological resilience, supporting the program's effectiveness in fostering emotional well-being and resilience in older adults. The findings underscore the importance of integrating structured psychosocial interventions into geriatric care settings.