Well-Being, Self-Efficacy and Independence in older adults: A Randomized Trial of Occupational Therapy

The main objective of the research was to analyze whether there were differences in the effects of individual and group occupational therapy (OT) treatment on psychological well-being, self-efficacy and personal independence.

A randomized clinical trial (N = 70; age = 85 years, SD = 4) comparing individual versus group occupational therapy treatment for 6 months was conducted. The evaluation was performed with the Barthel Index (Personal Independence), the Ryff Wellness Index (Well-being), the Global Self-Efficacy Scale (Self-efficacy) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (Affective state Scale).

Results showed a decrease in individual treatment scores in the variables autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth and purpose in life, reflecting worse self-acceptance and negative well-being as well as a lower ability to maintain stable relationships. By contrast, group treatment users maintained more stable social relationships and exhibited a greater ability to resist social pressure, to develop their potential skills and to define their goals in life. There were statistically significant differences in overall self-efficacy (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001) and personal independence (p = 0.013), with better scores in group versus individual treatment.

Group occupational therapy interventions in older adults could be the treatment of choice in people with depressed state, improving their emotional well-being, sense of self-efficacy and level of personal independence in basic activities of daily living.