Title |
Efficacy of path-oriented psychological self-help interventions to improve mental health of empty-nest older adults in the Community of China
|
---|---|
Published in |
BMC Psychiatry, November 2019
|
DOI | 10.1186/s12888-019-2327-9 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Li-Na Wang, Hong Tao, Mi Wang, Hong-Wei Yu, Hong Su, Bei Wu |
Abstract |
China has the world's largest aging population and the number of empty-nest older adults is on the rise. In comparison to the aging population in general, empty-nest older adults have a lower level of subjective well-being and poorer mental health status due to a lack of emotional support from their children. The aim of this study is to conduct an empirical study to evaluate the efficacy of the 'Path-oriented Psychological Self-help Intervention' (P-oPSI) led by nurses on the mental health of empty-nest older adults in the community, to provide a scientific foundation for improving their quality of life. A Quasi-Experimental controlled intervention study was conducted from 2015 to 2017. A total of 76 empty-nest older adults from 2 districts were recruited using a convenience sampling and assigned to 2 groups based on their residential communities in the city of Chifeng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The wait list control group participated in a mental health lecture to gain knowledge and learn techniques of mental health promotion. The intervention group additionally received 1 month of training in a nurse-led 'P-oPSI' for a month. Both groups were followed-up for 3 months. Mental health status, coping styles, and psychological self-help ability of the participating empty nest older adults were assessed at the baseline, 1 month, and 3-months follow up, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance and a simple effect test were used to analyse the differences of the two groups. The P-oPSI yielded a greater benefit for the mental health status, coping styles, and psychological self-help ability of the participants in the intervention group. Combined with a simple effect test, the scores of the mental health status, positive coping style, and psychological self-help ability of those in the intervention group significantly increased at 1 month after the baseline (F mental health status = 7.59, F positive coping style = 7.24, F psychological self-help ability = 7.07); and the sustainable effect of this program lasted for 3 months after the intervention (F mental health status = 13.24, F positive coping style = 10.42, F psychological self-help ability = 10.45), which reached statistical significance (P < 0.01). The P-oPSI program significantly improved the level of mental health of empty-nest older adults in China. This intervention provides a new approach of self-management to improve mental health of older adults in community settings. chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR1900025552. Retrospectively registered 1 September 2019. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 131 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 16 | 12% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 12 | 9% |
Student > Master | 12 | 9% |
Researcher | 8 | 6% |
Student > Postgraduate | 6 | 5% |
Other | 18 | 14% |
Unknown | 59 | 45% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Nursing and Health Professions | 17 | 13% |
Psychology | 17 | 13% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 11 | 8% |
Social Sciences | 6 | 5% |
Environmental Science | 5 | 4% |
Other | 15 | 11% |
Unknown | 60 | 46% |