None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to examine whether a brief, self-guided writing activity focused on personal memories can improve mood in older adults. Many older adults experience low mood that does not meet criteria for clinical depression but still affects their wellbeing, and there is a need for simple, accessible strategies that can help. In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to either complete a short, structured reminiscence writing task or to a comparison (control) condition. The writing task will guide participants to reflect on meaningful past experiences, with a focus on moments of personal strength, coping, and achievement. We expect that participants who complete the reminiscence writing task will show greater improvements in mood compared to those in the control group. We also expect that these improvements will be partly explained by an increased sense of mastery (i.e., feeling more in control of one’s life and able to handle challenges). The findings may help identify a simple, low-cost, and private intervention that could support emotional wellbeing in older adults.
Interventions
Participants allocated to the intervention condition will complete a brief, self-guided reminiscence therapy (RT) writing task delivered online via Qualtrics. The intervention consists of five structured open-ended prompts encouraging reflection on positive autobiographical memories, personal strengths, and meaningful life experiences (e.g., resilience, problem-solving, personal growth, and relationships). Prompts are adapted from established reminiscence therapy frameworks and are designed to f
Participants allocated to the intervention condition will complete a brief, self-guided reminiscence therapy (RT) writing task delivered online via Qualtrics. The intervention consists of five structured open-ended prompts encouraging reflection on positive autobiographical memories, personal strengths, and meaningful life experiences (e.g., resilience, problem-solving, personal growth, and relationships). Prompts are adapted from established reminiscence therapy frameworks and are designed to facilitate narrative reflection. Participants will be asked to provide sufficient detail to meaningfully describe each memory and its significance. The task will only be administered once, is self-guided, involves no therapist contact, and is expected to take approximately 10 minutes. The intervention will be administered once between pre- and post-test assessments. Depressive mood will be measured immediately before and after the task using validated self-report scales assessing depressive mood.
Sponsors
Swinburne University of Technology
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Aged 65+ 65+ years of age ("Are you at least 65 years old?") Sufficiently Proficient in English ("Do you speak and understand English well?") Living in Australia ("Do you live in Australia?")
Exclusion criteria
Communication or cognitive difficulties that preclude study completion ("Do you have difficulties writing or difficulties understanding instructions?) Unable to access the internet (“Do you have access to the internet?”)
Outcome results
None listed