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

作者：Li-Na Wang, Hong Tao, Mi Wang, Hong-Wei Yu, Su Hong, Bei Wu · 发表于：BMC Psychiatry · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1186/s12888-019-2327-9 · 被引用次数：19 · 研究领域：Health disparities and outcomes、Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving、Aging and Gerontology Research

Abstract Background 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. Methods 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...