ABSTRACT
In the present randomized controlled trial (RCT) it was investigated whether single women, 55 years of age and older, improved with regard to self-management ability, well-being, and social and emotional loneliness after having participated in a newly designed self-management group intervention based on the Self-Management of Well-being (SMW) theory. The expected mediating effect of self-management ability on well-being was not found. Although self-management ability, well-being and loneliness improved significantly in the intervention group immediately after the intervention, and also remained at this improved level after six months, there was also improvement in the control group after six months, rendering the longer-term differences between the groups non-significant. It can, however, be concluded that, although the longer-term effectiveness could not be proven, this SMW theory-based intervention seems to be useful in supporting older women to improve their self-management ability and well-being.
Subject(s)
Psychotherapy, Group/methods , Quality of Life/psychology , Self Care , Affect , Aged , Female , Humans , Loneliness/psychology , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time FactorsABSTRACT
This study examined whether the interaction of severely depressed patients and a psychiatrist was related to the course of depression during hospitalization. Interactional processes were defined on the basis of directly observed behaviour displayed during an interview and by the use of ethological methods. The behavioural structure of the interaction could be described by five factors. The severity of depression and the level of the behaviour factors were assessed just after admission (at baseline) and 10 weeks later. Patients were divided a posteriori into non-improved patients (N = 13) and improved patients (N = 18). Patients who did not improve displayed more 'speaking-effort' (looking, gesticulating, head movements during speech) and less 'active-listening' (head movements and intensive body touching during listening to the psychiatrist) than those who did improve. These factors increased over time in the improved patients but not in the non-improved patients suggesting that they may play a role in the maintenance of depression. The study illustrates the possible value of an ethological approach in the study of interactional processes.
