An Evaluation of an ACT-Based "Aging Resiliently" Group

There were two quality improvement aims in this project: (1) to evaluate the outcomes of a six-week closed geriatric focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based group called "Aging Resiliently" offered in a primary care setting, and (2) to obtain feedback from group members in order to make relevant modifications to future groups.

Four cohorts of veterans ages 58 and older participated in the group (N = 17). Paired samples t-tests were computed to determine the significance of changes on pre- and post- self-report measures of depression, experiential avoidance, and life satisfaction. Veterans also provided feedback in the form of an open-ended feedback questionnaire.

There were statistically significant improvements in depressive symptoms and satisfaction with life, but not in experiential avoidance. Two major themes emerged from the feedback questionnaire about what group members found to be the most helpful: (1) self-reflection/values, and (2) the social process of the group.

At our institution, the Aging Resiliently group yielded meaningful outcomes for older veterans presenting with different problems related to aging.

This Aging Resiliently group proved to be a potential effective, feasible, and acceptable psychotherapy for older veterans in our established local primary care setting.