ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of positive experience intervention on anxiety, depression and quality of life among rural empty nesters. Methods A total of 115 rural empty nesters were divided into the intervention group (n=58) and the control group (n=57). Both groups received routine community activities. In addition, participants in the intervention group received positive experience intervention. Geriatric Depression Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and 12-item Short-Form Health Survey were adopted to measure the related items before and after the intervention. Results The intervention group showed a significant decrease in anxiety (1.54±0.07) and depression (7.28±3.82), compared with the control group (1.64±0.09, 11.81±6.38), the difference was significant (t=-5.960,-4.613, P<0.01). The Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) was 47.01±6.47 and 52.13±6.22 in the intervention group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (41.37±8.71, 48.71±6.13), the differences were significant (t=3.937, 2.970, P < 0.01). Conclusions Positive experience intervention can decrease anxiety and depression, and improve quality of life of rural empty nesters.