J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2016 Dec;27(4):299-308. 10.12799/jkachn.2016.27.4.299.

Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology-based and Character Strengths-integrated Activity Program on Depression, Vitality, Life Satisfaction in Elderly Living Alone in Rural Areas

Affiliations
  • 1Geochang Health Center, Geochang, Korea.
  • 2College of Nursing · Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea. yha@gnu.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop a positive psychology-based and character strengths-integrated activity program for elders living alone in rural areas, and then to examine the effectiveness of the program.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design with a nonequivalent control group was used. The participants included 59 elders in total, of whom 30 were assigned to the experimental group and 29 to the control group. positive psychology-based and character strengths-integrated activity program for elders consists of sixty-minute sessions held twice per week during 6 weeks, hence 12 sessions in total.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in depression, vitality and life satisfaction (all p<.001).
CONCLUSION
The positive psychology-based and character strengths-integrated activity program for elders living alone in rural areas is effective in that it decreased the degree of depression and increased the vitality and life satisfaction in the participants.

Keyword

Aged; Character; Depression; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Depression*
Humans
Quality of Life

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