J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2012 Dec;21(4):311-320.

Effects of an Empowerment Program on Self-esteem and Depression for Low-income Elderly Women Living Alone

• Lee SH
• Jun SS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an empowerment program on self-esteem and depression provided through home visits to low-income elderly women who live alone.
METHODS
The research design was a control group pre-post test design. The participants were 49 low-income women over age 65 living alone, 24 in the experimental group and 25 in the control group. The independent variable was the empowerment program, and the dependent variables were self-esteem and depression. The empowerment program was provided for 60 minutes, once a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program.
RESULTS
The experimental group reported significant improvement in self-esteem compared to the control group (t=12.50, p<.001). The experimental group also reported significant improvement in depression scores compared to the control group (t=-9.59, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that the empowerment program has the potential to improve the mental health of low-income elderly women.

Keyword

Empowerment; Self-esteem; Depression; Low-income; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged
Depression
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Female
House Calls
Humans
Mental Health
Power (Psychology)
Research Design

Figure

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  Figure 1 Flowchart of participants in the trial.

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  Figure 2 Conceptual framework for the study.

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