Introduction: The present study aimed to compare the effects of group spiritual therapy training based on Islamic and non-Islamic teachings on the happiness of the elderly.
Methodology: The research design was quasi-experimental, employing a pre-test and post-test approach with a control group. The statistical population included all elderly men residing in one of the nursing homes in Kermanshah City in 2024 (1403 in the Iranian calendar). After completing the Argyle et al Happiness Questionnaire (1989), 45 individuals who scored below the cutoff point on the happiness scale were selected and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each (Islamic spiritual therapy training group, non-Islamic spiritual therapy group, and control group). The first group underwent eight 90-minute sessions of Islamic spiritual therapy training based on the protocol developed by Kajbaf et al (2017). The second group also participated in eight separate 90-minute sessions of Frankl’s logotherapy protocol (1998). Meanwhile, the control group did not receive any training during this period. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).
Results: The study’s findings indicated that both Islamic spiritual therapy and non-Islamic spiritual therapy significantly increased happiness scores in the post-test phase. However, the effect of Islamic spiritual therapy was greater (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the findings, both interventions—spiritual therapy based on Islamic teachings and non-Islamic spiritual therapy—proved effective in enhancing the happiness of the elderly. However, the Islamic spiritual therapy demonstrated a stronger impact.