Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and Over, Existential Distress
Conditions
Keywords
Active Aging, Existential Approach, Solution Focused Approach, Embedded Mixed Methods, Process Analysis, Thematic Analysis, Psychosocial Intervention in Later Life
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated existential and solution-focused group intervention enriched with narrative therapy techniques in promoting active aging among older adults. The intervention was developed to address psychosocial limitations associated with aging, including social isolation, role loss, ageism, and existential concerns. The study employed an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Older adults aged 65 years and over who attended a primary healthcare mental health unit in a city, Türkiye, were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a structured 10-session group program combining existential therapy, solution-focused approaches, and narrative therapy techniques. Quantitative data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old Module (WHOQOL-OLD) and the Active Aging Scale (AAS) at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Qualitative data were obtained through session transcripts and field notes to explore participants' experiences and the intervention process.
Detailed description
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial group intervention designed to promote active aging among older adults. The intervention combines existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and narrative therapy techniques to address psychosocial challenges commonly associated with later life, including social isolation, role loss, loneliness, ageism, grief, and existential concerns. The intervention was developed to strengthen participants' psychological resources, enhance meaning in life, support adaptive coping, and encourage active participation in daily and social life. The intervention is based on the complementary strengths of existential and solution-focused approaches. The existential component encourages participants to acknowledge and accept aging-related experiences, including loss, physical limitations, and mortality, while exploring personal meaning and responsibility. The solution-focused component emphasizes personal strengths, future-oriented goals, successful past experiences, and practical solutions through techniques such as the miracle question, scaling questions, identifying exceptions, and recognizing existing resources. Narrative therapy techniques are integrated throughout the program to facilitate the reconstruction of personal life stories and reinforce identity continuity. The study employs an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Participants aged 65 years and older attending a primary healthcare mental health unit are randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participates in a structured closed-group program consisting of ten weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, while the control group receives usual care during the study period. Quantitative and qualitative data are collected concurrently to evaluate both intervention outcomes and participants' experiences. Quantitative outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up using validated measures of quality of life and active aging. Qualitative data obtained from group sessions and researcher field notes are analyzed to explore participants' experiences of the intervention, changes in perceptions of aging, psychosocial adaptation, and the meaning-making process. The mixed-methods design provides both effectiveness data and an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms through which the intervention may facilitate active aging.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALExistential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention
The intervention consisted of a structured 10-session closed-group program integrating existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and narrative therapy techniques. Each session lasted approximately 90 minutes. 1. Introduction to the group process, establishment of group rules, and development of group cohesion. 2. Exploration of aging-related psychosocial challenges, personal losses, and life transitions. 3. Identification of personal strengths, resilience resources, and successful coping experiences. 4. Exploration of meaning in life, freedom, responsibility, and acceptance of aging from an existential perspective. 5. Life review and reconstruction of personal narratives using narrative therapy techniques. 6. Identification of exceptions, personal resources, and future possibilities using solution-focused techniques. 7. Application of the miracle question, scaling questions, and goal-setting to promote hope and self-efficacy. 8. Strengthening social relationships, social par
Sponsors
Sinop University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group using simple randomization (drawing lots) performed by an independent researcher. The intervention group participated in a structured 10-session existential and solution-focused group intervention, while the control group received usual care during the study period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Aged 65 years or older. Registered at the mental health unit of the participating primary healthcare center. Able to communicate effectively and participate in group sessions. Sufficient cognitive functioning to complete interviews and study assessments. Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Presence of severe psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation in the group intervention. Presence of neurological disorders associated with significant cognitive impairment. Severe physical health problems preventing attendance at group sessions. Inability or unwillingness to complete the intervention or study assessments.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization Quality of Life Older Adults Module (WHOQOL OLD) | Baseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after the intervention | World Health Organization Quality of Life-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD): The WHOQOL-OLD is a 24-item instrument comprising six domains: sensory abilities, autonomy, past, present and future activities, social participation, death and dying, and intimacy. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Domain scores and the total score are transformed to a scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Active Aging Scale (AAS) | aseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after the intervention | Active Aging Scale (AAS): The Active Aging Scale (AAS) is a 17-item instrument developed by Rantanen et al. and adapted into Turkish by Demir Erbil and Hazer (2019). For each activity, participants rate four dimensions (goals, functional capacity, opportunities, and activities) using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (lowest level of active aging) to 4 (highest level of active aging). Total scores range from 0 to 272, with higher scores indicating greater active aging. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed