Effect of Strength-Based Narrative Therapy on Depression  Symptoms and Quality of Life in the Elderly

Shengguo  Zhu; Qiaoyuan  Liao; Huaping  Yuan

doi:10.18502/ijph.v54i1.17582

Shengguo Zhu Department of Fundamental Courses, Hunan Police Academy, Changsha, Hunan, China
Qiaoyuan Liao Department of Fundamental Courses, Hunan Police Academy, Changsha, Hunan, China
Huaping Yuan Department of Fundamental Courses, Hunan Police Academy, Changsha, Hunan, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v54i1.17582

Keywords: Narrative therapy; Strength; Elderly

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common psychological problem among the elderly. It undermines the elderly’s quality of life and imposes a heavy economic burden on society and families. Depression in this group must be addressed, but effective intervention therapies remain absent in existing studies. Strength-based cognitive behavior theory was combined with narrative therapy in this study. Its effect on depression in the elderly was verified through an intervention experiment.

Methods: From April to June 2024, 319 elderly people were recruited from Huoju Community in Changsha, Hunan Province, China to examine the factors influencing depression. A total of 85 of them with depression symptoms were included in a randomized intervention experiment and divided into two groups: 42 in the experiment group and 43 in the control group. The experiment group was intervened with strength-based narrative therapy, whereas the control group was given no targeted intervention.

Results: After the intervention, 1) the total depression score of the experiment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.001); 2) the mental state score of the control group decreased more significantly than that of the experiment group (P<0.05); and 3) the quality-of-life score of the experiment group was significantly higher than that of the control group at different time points (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Strength-based narrative therapy can effectively alleviate depression symptoms in the elderly, improve their mental state, delay their cognitive decline, and enhance their quality of life. It is an effective option to promote the elderly’s mental health.