Do the caregiving spouses of people with dementia in Spain perceive the same barriers for taking part in interventions as caregiving offspring?

The aim of this qualitative research is to examine the difficulties perceived by caregivers for taking part in an offered intervention, exploring whether there are differences depending on caregiver's degree of kinship. Forty-two family caregivers from Salamanca (Spain) were interviewed after declining an invitation to take part in an intervention programme. All the telephone conversations were transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were subject to a thematic content analysis using QDA MINER software. The barriers identified were (1) difficulties adapting to the intervention's schedule due to a lack of time, or incompatibility with its dates or timetables, (2) belief among the caregivers that they do not need or are not interested in the support the intervention provides, (3) impossibility to separate from the family member to attend due to the absence of relief or a feeling of guilt, (4) caregiver's health issues, (5) difficulties with accessibility, and (6) belief that the therapies serve no useful purpose. Certain differences were identified depending on the caregiver's kinship. Understanding the difficulties caregivers face for taking part in the interventions will enable steps to be taken to remove and/or reduce such barriers, whereby more caregivers will benefit from interventions.

Association between handgrip strength, walking, age-related illnesses and cognitive status in a sample of Portuguese centenarians.

BACKGROUND: Centenarians are a growing population in Europe and present significant variability in motor and cognitive functions. The aim of our study was to characterize health status, as well as cognitive and motor functions in a group of Portuguese centenarians. In addition, our study also aimed at analyzing the relationship between cognitive functions and the burden of diseases affecting the elderly. METHODS: Fifty-two centenarians were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, short version. Walking-related parameters (velocity and time spent in the 3 m walk test), grip strength and number of age-related illnesses were also measured. The relationship between cognitive scores and time spent in the three metre walk test, velocity, grip strength and number of diseases was analysed. RESULTS: Cognitive scores showed a positive correlation with both handgrip strength and time spent in the three metre walk. In contrast, no association was found between cognitive scores and the presence/absence of disease, walking velocity or number of diseases present. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in centenarians, cognitive functions may be related with motor functions.

Estrategias de afrontamiento frente a la violencia doméstica contra la mujer, implementadas por mujeres del grupo de ayuda mutua Renacer a la Vida / Coping strategies against domestic violence against women, implemented by women from the mutual help group Renacer a la Vida

El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer las estrategias de afrontamiento implementadas por mujeres que son asistidas, por el Programa de Atención Integral a la violencia Familiar de una institución municipal, por padecer diferentes tipos de violencia en el ámbito doméstico por parte de la pareja. La metodología es exploratoria y descriptiva, las técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas posibilitaron la recolección de información de 8 mujeres participantes del grupo de ayuda mutua. A la interpretación de esos datos se le agregó la información recabada, mediante la observación no participante, en el marco de las sesiones grupales llevadas a cabo por el programa de asistencia mencionado. Los resultados arrojan información sobre cuatro aspectos fundamentales; 1. La significación atribuida a la violencia doméstica; 2. Las estrategias implementadas por las mujeres para afrontarla; 3. Los recursos disponibles que posibilitaron la implementación de esas estrategias y 4. La representación que tienen las mujeres del grupo de autoayuda. Puede concluirse que las mujeres que forman parte del estudio ensayan distintas estrategias de afrontamiento con el fin de poner fin a la violencia dirigida contra ellas. Las mismas son parte de un proceso complejo y dinámico a considerar al momento de elaborar medidas preventivas. En ese proceso pueden distinguirse cuatro etapas atravesadas por estrategias que tienden a justificar la permanencia en esa situación y por expectativas de un acompañamiento institucional fallido

Afrontamiento de problemas de salud en personas muy mayores / Coping with health problems in very old people

En este estudio se evalúan las estrategias de afrontamiento ante problemas de salud en la vejez avanzada y su contribución sobre varios resultados de funcionamiento. 159 personas mayores de 75 años no institucionalizadas identificaron su problema de salud reciente más importante, las estrategias empleadas para hacerle frente, su percepción de autoeficacia en el manejo del problema y su grado de satisfacción vital. Los resultados confirman la utilización de variadas estrategias, siendo la activacomportamental resolver el problema la más empleada. Además, junto a las estrategias de afrontamiento activas, tanto cognitivas como comportamentales, los análisis correlacionales indican que las personas muy mayores recurren a modos de afrontamiento pasivos y evitativos. Por otra parte, los análisis de regresión múltiple ponen de manifiesto que utilizar acciones directas y racionales para solucionar los problemas de salud predice la autoeficacia en el manejo del problema y protege la satisfacción vital en esta etapa. Estos resultados confirman que las personas muy mayores conservan la capacidad para manejar eficazmente sus problemas de salud y, al mismo tiempo, mantener su bienestar, aportando evidencia sobre el papel adaptativo del afrontamiento en la vejez avanzada

This paper assesses the strategies for coping with health problems in advanced old age and their contribution in terms of several performance results. 159 people aged 75 or over and living at home identified their most recent health problem, the strategies used to deal with it, their perception of self-efficacy in handling the problem and their degree of satisfaction with life. The results confirm the use of a range of strategies, with the active-behavioural approach to solving the problem being the one most widely used. In addition, together with active coping strategies of both a cognitive and behavioural nature, correlational analyses indicate that very old people resort to passive and avoidance coping methods. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses highlight the fact that the use of direct and rational actions for solving health problems predicts self-efficacy in dealing with the problem and protects satisfaction with life at this stage. These results confirm that very old people retain the ability to deal effectively with their health problems and, at the same time, uphold their well-being, providing evidence of the adaptive role of coping in very old age

[Reminiscence with different types of autobiographical memories: Effects on the reduction of depressive symptomatology in old age]. / Reminiscencia con distintos tipos de recuerdos autobiográficos: efectos sobre la reducción de la sintomatología depresiva en la vejez.

The aim of this study was to analyse the role of the type of autobiographical memories reported by an individual reminiscence program to explain the decrease of depressive symptomatology found in elderly Portuguese people. A quasi-experimental design was used with pre- and post-test evaluations of the type of autobiographical memories. In this study, participants were 90 people over 65 years old with depressive symptoms, no antidepressive medication, and no signs of dementia. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: experimental group (exposed to the program), control group or placebo-control group. The results of the study indicated that, in the participants of the experimental group, along with significant improvements in depressive symptomatology, significant increase in the number of specific autobiographical memories and positive autobiographical memories was recorded. The study also stresses the strong negative associations between depressive symptomatology and the specificity of the memories and their positive nature. The recovery and reconstruction of specific positive and negative autobiographical memories, using the reminiscence program, may be inherent to the reminiscence program developed that explain its efficiency as a therapeutic tool for psychological intervention aimed at the reduction of depressive symptomatology in old age.

Reminiscencia con distintos tipos de recuerdos autobiográficos: efectos sobre la reducción de la sintomatología depresiva en la vejez / Reminiscence with different types of autobiographical memories: Effects on the reduction of depressive

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar el papel del tipo de recuerdos autobiográficos evocados a través de un programa individual de reminiscencia para explicar la reducción de la sintomatología depresiva en personas mayores portuguesas. Se construyó un diseño cuasi-experimental con evaluaciones pretest y postest del tipo de recuerdos autobiográficos a partir de la presentación de palabras estímulo. Participaron 90 personas con más de 65 años de edad, con sintomatología depresiva, sin medicación antidepresiva y sin evidencia de demencia. Cada persona fue asignada a uno de tres grupos: grupo experimental (sesiones de reminiscencia); grupo control; y grupo control-placebo (sesiones semanales de relajación). Los resultados indican que en los sujetos del grupo experimental, junto a mejoras significativas en sintomatología depresiva, se registran aumentos significativos en el número de recuperaciones autobiográficas específicas y positivas. Además aparecen fuertes asociaciones negativas de la sintomatología depresiva con la especificidad de los recuerdos y con su carácter positivo. La recuperación y reconstrucción de recuerdos autobiográficos específicos, positivos y negativos, a través del programa de reminiscencia implementado, pueden ser aspectos inherentes al programa de reminiscencia desarrollado que expliquen su eficacia como herramienta terapéutica de intervención psicológica para la reducción de la sintomatología depresiva en la vejez(AU)

The aim of this study was to analyse the role of the type of autobiographical memories reported by an individual reminiscence program to explain the decrease of depressive symptomatology found in elderly Portuguese people. A quasi-experimental design was used with pre- and post-test evaluations of the type of autobiographical memories. In this study, participants were 90 people over 65 years old with depressive symptoms, no antidepressive medication, and no signs of dementia. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: experimental group (exposed to the program), control group or placebo-control group. The results of the study indicated that, in the participants of the experimental group, along with significant improvements in depressive symptomatology, significant increase in the number of specific autobiographical memories and positive autobiographical memories was recorded. The study also stresses the strong negative associations between depressive symptomatology and the specificity of the memories and their positive nature. The recovery and reconstruction of specific positive and negative autobiographical memories, using the reminiscence program, may be inherent to the reminiscence program developed that explain its efficiency as a therapeutic tool for psychological intervention aimed at the reduction of depressive symptomatology in old age(AU)

Efectos de un programa de reminiscencia sobre la sintomatología depresiva en una muestra de población mayor portuguesa / Effects of a reminiscence program on depressive symptomatology in an elderly population in Portugal

IntroducciónEste estudio trata de poner a prueba la eficacia de un programa individual, delimitado y semiestructurado de reminiscencia como estrategia de intervención para la reducción de la sintomatología depresiva en personas mayores portuguesas.Material y métodosSe elabora un programa semiestructurado de reminiscencia que se desarrolla a través de 5 sesiones individuales. Para el análisis del impacto del programa en la sintomatología depresiva se implementa un diseño experimental en el que han participado 90 personas con más de 65 años de edad, con sintomatología depresiva, sin medicación antidepresiva y sin evidencia de demencia. Cada persona se asigna aleatoriamente a uno de los 3 grupos: a) grupo experimental (sesiones de reminiscencia); b) grupo control, o c) grupo control-placebo (sesiones semanales de relajación). Mediante la Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (adaptación de Gonçalves y Fagulha, 2000–2001, de la escala original desarrollada por Radloff en 1977) se realizaron evaluaciones pretest y postest de la sintomatología depresiva de todos los sujetos separadas por el mismo intervalo de tiempo.ResultadosLos resultados obtenidos indican mejoras significativas en el grupo experimental en cuanto a la sintomatología depresiva (t [29]=19,70; p<0,01); el valor medio baja de 39,87 (desviación típica [DT]=7,90) a 13,60 (DT=5,14). En el grupo control la sintomatología depresiva tiende a agravarse (prueba de Wilcoxon [z]=−2,83; p<0,001); el valor medio sube de 30,93 (DT=7,07) a 34,10 (DT=8,76). En el grupo control-placebo los resultados también indican una disminución de la sintomatología depresiva (t [29]=2,52; p<0,05) de 33,967 (DT=7,37) a 30,57 (DT=9,94), aunque se trate de una diferencia con un nivel de significación inferior al del grupo experimental...(AU)

IntroductionThis study analyzed the effectiveness of an individual, delimited, semi-structured reminiscence program as an intervention strategy to reduce depressive symptomatology in a population of Portuguese old people.ResultsIn the experimental group, significant improvements were found in depressive symptomatology (t [29]=19.70, p<0.01); the mean values decreased from 39.87 (standard deviation [SD]=7.90) to 13.60 (SD=5.14). In the control group, a significant increase in depressive symptomatology was observed (z=−2.83; p<0.001); the mean values rose from 30.93 (SD=7.07) to 34.10 (SD=8.76). In the placebo-control group, depressive symptomatology was reduced (t [29]=2,52; p<0.05) from 33.967 (SD=7.37) to 30.57 (SD=9.94), although the difference was less significant than that observed in the experimental group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that elaboration of positive and negative autobiographical memories, stimulation of instrumental and integrative reminiscences and narration of specific and positive autobiographical memories using the reminiscence program, as designed and analyzed in this study, may be a tool for psychological intervention to reduce depressive symptomatology in old age(AU)

[Effects of a reminiscence program on depressive symptomatology in an elderly population in Portugal]. / Efectos de un programa de reminiscencia sobre la sintomatología depresiva en una muestra de población mayor portuguesa.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzed the effectiveness of an individual, delimited, semi-structured reminiscence program as an intervention strategy to reduce depressive symptomatology in a population of Portuguese old people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A semi-structured reminiscence program was developed in 5 individual sessions. The program's impact on depressive symptomatology was tested in 90 subjects aged over 65 years with depressive symptoms, no antidepressive medication, and no signs of dementia. In a randomized experimental design, participants were assigned to one of 3 groups: a) experimental group (exposed to the program); b) control group, or c) placebo-control group (with weekly relaxation sessions). Pre and post-test score differences in Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (adapted by Gonçalves and Fagulha, 2000-2001, from the original developed by Radloff, 1977), were analyzed in all participants at the same time intervals. RESULTS: In the experimental group, significant improvements were found in depressive symptomatology (t [29]=19.70, p<0.01); the mean values decreased from 39.87 (standard deviation [SD]=7.90) to 13.60 (SD=5.14). In the control group, a significant increase in depressive symptomatology was observed (z=-2.83; p<0.001); the mean values rose from 30.93 (SD=7.07) to 34.10 (SD=8.76). In the placebo-control group, depressive symptomatology was reduced (t [29]=2,52; p<0.05) from 33.967 (SD=7.37) to 30.57 (SD=9.94), although the difference was less significant than that observed in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that elaboration of positive and negative autobiographical memories, stimulation of instrumental and integrative reminiscences and narration of specific and positive autobiographical memories using the reminiscence program, as designed and analyzed in this study, may be a tool for psychological intervention to reduce depressive symptomatology in old age.

Percepción de autoeficacia en el afrontamiento de los problemas y su contribución en la satisfacción vital de las personas muy mayores / Perception of self-efficacy in coping with problems and its contribution to life satisfaction in very old people

Introducción y objetivos: la autoeficacia hace referencia a las creencias personales sobre la capacidad de organizar y comprometerse en acciones particulares para manejar una determinada situación. Dentro de un estudio más amplio sobre calidad de vida, hemos intentado conocer cómo es la percepción de autoeficacia en el manejo de los problemas y su contribución como modulador del estrés en la vejez avanzada. Sujetos y método: participaron 400 personas (75-104 años) no institucionalizadas de Salamanca. Medimos la percepción de autoeficacia presente y futura, además de variables sociodemográficas y de satisfacción con la vida (satisfaction with life scale; Diener et al, 1985). Resultados: la mayoría de las personas mayores de 75 años percibe como efectivo su manejo de los problemas actuales y futuros. Aparecen diferencias de edad (los de 75-84 años consideran su capacidad de afrontamiento presente y futura más efectiva que los mayores de 85 años) y de sexo (las mujeres muy mayores se perciben menos autoeficaces que los varones muy mayores). La percepción de autoeficacia futura predice la satisfacción vital de las personas muy mayores. Conclusiones: percibirse como autoeficaces en el manejo de los problemas futuros protege el bienestar de las personas muy mayores. Se comprueba el papel de la autoeficacia en el mantenimiento de la resistencia psicológica en la vejez avanzada

Introduction and objectives: self-efficacy refers to a personal belief in one's ability to organize and commit oneself to specific actions for dealing with a concrete situation. As part of a broader study on quality of life, we aimed to further our understanding of perception of self-efficacy in dealing with problems and its role as a stress modulator in advanced old age. Subjects and method: the study included 400 very elderly persons aged between 75 and 104 years from the city of Salamanca (Spain) who were residing in the community. We measured present and future perception of self-efficacy, sociodemographic variables and satisfaction with life --satisfaction with life scale-- (Diener et al, 1985). Results: most of those aged over 75 years perceived their handling of current and future problems to be effective. Differences were found according to age (those aged between 75 and 84 considered their present and future ability to cope to be more effective than those aged over 85) and according to gender (very old women perceived themselves to be less self-effective than very old men). The perception of future self-efficacy predicted satisfaction with life in very old people. Conclusions: the perception of self-efficacy in the handling of future problems protects the personal well-being of very old people. The results of the present study verify the role of self-efficacy in the maintenance of psychological resilience in advanced old age