Goal of this project is to develop and evaluate the course "Searching for meaning in life" for older adults living in nursing and residential care homes.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
somberheidsklachten, kwaliteit van leven, psychologisch welbevinden, zelfwaardering
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
- quality of life
- depressive symptoms
- psychological wellbeing
- self-esteem
Secondary outcome
Nvt
Background summary
For the last few years, increasing attention is given to well-considered care
in nursing and residential care homes (Actiz, 2007). It is assumed that health
care providers pay attention to supporting their clients in their personal
development, life choices and giving meaning to the client's life. It is also
assumed that they pay enough attention to clients who are lonely or depressed.
Psychosocial or psychological interventions considering life review, loneliness
and depression in health care institutions are still limited (Pot et al, 2007).
Some people need help with the process of life review. To support these people
the Netherlands Institute for Mental Health and Addiction has developed the
course 'Searching for the meaning of life'.
This course combines life review with a creative therapeutic approach and was
originally designed for elderly with moderate depressive symptoms. This course
consists of 12 sessions of 2.5 hours.
A Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted among older people with depressive
symptoms. The depressive symptoms appeared to decline. Recently, the course was
adapted to older people with severe mental disorders (Raaijmakers et al, 2007).
For this version, the meetings are shorter, there are less verbal assignments
and the homework in small subgroups is abolished. The first results of a pilot
study of this version of 'Searching for the meaning of life' are satisfactory
(Willemse et al, submitted).
This project concerns the development of an intervention which promotes life
review, will reduce depression and will improve quality of life for people who
live in nursing and residential care homes. The intervention we develop in this
project is designed for very old and vulnerable people. For these people, it is
important that they can accept the finiteness of their life, have a positive
perception of aging (Haight et al, 2000; Burnside, 1996) and their quality of
life will improve.
Study objective
Goal of this project is to develop and evaluate the course "Searching for
meaning in life" for older adults living in nursing and residential care homes.
Study design
This study consists of:
1. Implementation of this course in nursing and residential homes
2. Evaluation (process and effect)
3. Adaptation of the manual
The effect study follows a pre-post test design with an interview the week
before the course starts and an interview the week after the end of the course.
At pre- and posttest the effect of the course on life satisfaction,
psychological wellbeing, physical wellbeing and self-esteem will be measured.
A process evaluation will be conducted to verify if the developed method is
feasible and acceptable for the target groups. After the course all
participants will complete a satisfaction questionnaire. Also eight
participants and the counselors from the four groups will be interviewed after
the course using a semi-structured interview.
Intervention
The standardized intervention in this pilot study consists of the course
'Searching for meaning in life' for older people with a with severe mental
disorders (Raaijmakers et al., 2007). It combines life review with a creative
therapeutic approach. This course consists of 12 sessions of 1,5 hours.
Study burden and risks
The participant in this study will be interviewed the week before the course
starts and the week after the end of the course. These interviews will each
take approximately one hour. The course consists of 12 weekly sessions of 1,5
hours.
We expect that the intervention (course) will improve the wellbeing of the
participants. Also we expect that the people are willing to participate in the
course because of the few interventions available for this target group.
Versions of this method had been used and studied in other groups of older
adults. These versions have no side effects or adverse consequences.
Facing unpleasant memories can be an extra burden on the participants. For this
reason the counselors need to have experience with the target group. When
necessary, they can refer the participant to an appropriate practitioner.
Moreover, participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.
Postbus 725
3500 AS Utrecht
Nederland
Postbus 725
3500 AS Utrecht
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
The participant:
- is 55 years or older
- lives in a nursing or residential home for somatic reasons
- is prepared to recollect memories
- has the skills/ability to function in a group
Exclusion criteria
- deaf or blind people
- people with severe psychiatric problems
- people with too much cognitive impairments
Design
Recruitment
Medical products/devices used
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
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Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
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In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL27600.097.09 |