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Efficacy of path-oriented psychological self-help interventions to improve mental health of empty-nest older adults in the Community of China.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wang, L-N; Tao, H; Wang, M; Yu, H-W; Su, H; Wu, B
Published in: BMC psychiatry
November 2019

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.

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Published In

BMC psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1471-244X

ISSN

1471-244X

Publication Date

November 2019

Volume

19

Issue

1

Start / End Page

365

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Self Care
  • Quality of Life
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Mental Health
  • Male
  • Independent Living
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion
 

Citation

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Wang, L.-N., Tao, H., Wang, M., Yu, H.-W., Su, H., & Wu, B. (2019). Efficacy of path-oriented psychological self-help interventions to improve mental health of empty-nest older adults in the Community of China. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 365. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2327-9
Wang, Li-Na, Hong Tao, Mi Wang, Hong-Wei Yu, Hong Su, and Bei Wu. “Efficacy of path-oriented psychological self-help interventions to improve mental health of empty-nest older adults in the Community of China.BMC Psychiatry 19, no. 1 (November 2019): 365. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2327-9.
Wang, Li-Na, et al. “Efficacy of path-oriented psychological self-help interventions to improve mental health of empty-nest older adults in the Community of China.BMC Psychiatry, vol. 19, no. 1, Nov. 2019, p. 365. Epmc, doi:10.1186/s12888-019-2327-9.
Journal cover image

Published In

BMC psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1471-244X

ISSN

1471-244X

Publication Date

November 2019

Volume

19

Issue

1

Start / End Page

365

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Self Care
  • Quality of Life
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Mental Health
  • Male
  • Independent Living
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion