The impact of group reminiscence counseling on a depressed elderly population

Elderly patients present an enormous challenge to the mental health care system. Statistics have shown a high rate of mental disorders, especially depression and suicide, among this population group. Reminiscing about the past has been theoretically linked to positive adjustment in old age. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of group reminiscence counseling on the level of depression of elderly women residing in nursing homes. A sample of 60 women 65 years and older participated in this study. Subjects were randomly classified into two experimental groups and one control group. An interview schedule that included demographics and Beck's Depression Inventory was employed to collect data. Chi-square analysis was used to test the homogeneity of the three groups with respect to their demographic characteristics. Analysis of data using the analysis of variance method showed that the differences between the levels of depression before and after the reminiscence counseling sessions were statistically significant in the younger subjects (65 to 74 years), and insignificant in the older subjects (over 74 years). Findings imply that group reminiscence counseling did have an effect on the elderly's level of depression. From the findings of this study, implications and recommendations are drawn.