THE EFFECT OF REMINISCENCE GROUPS ON FATIGUE, AFFECT, AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN OLDER WOMEN (WOMEN).

Description

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a reminiscence group to reduce fatigue, increase positive affect, and life satisfaction in elderly women living independently. Atchley's (1989) continuity theory and reminiscence provided the theoretical framework for the study. The convenience sample consisted of 67 females 65 years of age and over living independently in apartments in a mid-south metropolitan city in the United States. The sample was comprised of three groups: a reminiscence treatment group, a "Dear Abby" treatment-control group and the no-treatment control group. Instruments included Pearson & Byars Subjective Fatigue Feeling Checklist (1956), Affect Balance Scale (Bradburn, 1969), and Life Satisfaction Index-A (Neugarten, Havighurst & Tobin, 1961). Quantitative data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. The covariates were the three pretest scores for each of the dependent variables analyzed. Results of the analyses showed no significant differences between the three groups at the.05 level of significance. Open-ended questions and taped recordings of each of the eight (8) meeting were used to collect qualitative data and were analyzed using semantic analysis and the constant comparison method (Strauss & Glasser, 1967). The analysis of the qualitative data revealed that the themes which elicited the most discussion in rank order were: (a) favorite holiday, (b) first pet, (c) first job, (d) first day of school, (e) first date, (f) first toy, (g) first playmate, and (h) first memory. The three most important meanings of the reminiscence group to the subjects were "compared (my) life to the (lives) of other women," "fellowship" and enjoyment. Four categories emerged from the evaluation regarding the meaning of the reminiscence group experience to the subjects: (a) self-affirmation, (b) others-affirmation, (c) interconnection, and (d) reflection. Four categories emerged from the evaluations regarding the effect of the reminiscence group experience: (a) self-affirmation, (b) other-affirmation, (c) interconnection, and (d) reflection. Implications and recommendations for nursing research, practice and education were identified.

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