Effectiveness of the Modified Instrumental Reminiscence Intervention on Psychological Well-Being Among Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: The current study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Instrumental Reminiscence Intervention-Hong Kong (IRI-HK) on alleviating depressive symptoms and improving life satisfaction in Chinese older adults living in empty nests (i.e., living alone or with a spouse only) in the community.

Methods: A longitudinal, randomized, controlled design was adopted. Experimental and wait-list control groups were provided with the IRI-HK immediately and 12 weeks after the baseline assessment, respectively. Participants were 114 older adults living in empty nests and recruited via local elderly community centers. This high-risk population with detectable depressive symptoms were randomized into experimental (N = 46) and control (N = 68) groups. The IRI-HK is a group reminiscence intervention modified with cultural adaptations for Chinese older adults. It emphasizes the use of problem-focused coping strategies and comprises six intervention sessions and two follow-up sessions. Participants' depressive symptoms and life satisfaction were measured by the Chinese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form and the Life Satisfaction Scale-Chinese, respectively.

Results: Findings from this study showed a significant difference in depressive symptoms between groups after the intervention, F(1,77) = 35.62, p <0.001. Life satisfaction of the experimental group after the second follow-up was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group, F(1,68) = 5.67, p <0.05.

Conclusion: The IRI-HK was a successful cultural adaption suitable for use in the Chinese context. It was found to be an effective intervention for alleviating depressive symptoms in older adults living in empty nests in the community.

Keywords: Chinese older adults; Instrumental Reminiscence Intervention; psychological well-being; randomized controlled trial.