Psychological Alienation and Its Relationship to Hypochondriasis among the Elderly

Aims: This research aims to identify psychological alienation and hypochondriasis among the elderly, to examine the nature of the correlational relationship between psychological alienation and hypochondriasis, and to determine the extent to which psychological alienation contributes to the level of hypochondriasis. Methodology: A sample of (160) elderly males, aged 65 years and above, was selected from among those visiting four pension and social welfare disbursement offices in the city of Ramadi. The researcher constructed, prepared, and then administered the Psychological Alienation Scale and the Hypochondriasis Scale. Results: The results showed that psychological alienation among the research sample was high across all its dimensions, with statistical significance at the level (0.05). Additionally, hypochondriasis among the research sample was high, with statistical significance at the level (0.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlational relationship at the level (0.05) between psychological alienation (and its dimensions) and hypochondriasis. Furthermore, psychological alienation contributed by (26.5%) to the explained variance in hypochondriasis. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the level of psychological alienation across its various dimensions was statistically high among the elderly sample, as was the level of hypochondriasis. The results also revealed a statistically significant positive correlational relationship between psychological alienation and hypochondriasis, indicating that an increase in feelings of psychological alienation is associated with an increase in the severity of hypochondriasis among them. Moreover, psychological alienation explained (26.5%) of the variance in hypochondriasis, which is a significant explanatory percentage, confirming that psychological alienation is not merely a correlated factor but an actual predictor of the level of hypochondriasis among the elderly. The present study also concludes that low levels of social and psychological integration are considered a risk factor contributing to the amplification of health anxieties among the elderly. Accordingly, the study recommends the necessity of designing psychological and social support programs aimed at reducing alienation as a means of preventing hypochondriasis and improving their quality of life.