Implementation and Evaluation of a Life Narrative Interview Program for Medical Inpatients

Objectives: Two studies in the early 1990s demonstrated that life narrative interviews conducted by age-peer volunteers strengthened the coping of older patients undergoing invasive medical procedures. The present article reports on the implementation of a similar life narrative interview program for medical inpatients and subsequent evaluation of the mood and coping effects of the intervention. Methods: Three volunteers (mean age = 69 years) were trained to administer 45- to 60-minute life narrative interviews. Fifty-three inpatients (mean age = 70 years) on various units of a Mid-Atlantic non-profit hospital agreed to participate. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Coping Self-Efficacy Inventory (CSEI) were administered before and after the interviews. Results: T-tests indicated a significant increase in positive affect and decrease in negative affect following the interview but no changes in the CSEI. Patient satisfaction questions administered after the interview indicated that patients had a high level of satisfaction with the interview experience. Conclusions: The life narrative interview program appeared to improve the overall mood of participants while providing a satisfying activity to engage in while in the hospital. Clinical Implications: The project demonstrated a cost-effective method for employing volunteers to enhance the experience of patients at healthcare facilities.