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Stress management training for the elderly: a psychoeducational approach
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|September 1, 1978
Summary
This study introduces Stress Management Training, an educational approach to help elderly individuals manage stress. It teaches cognitive understanding, muscle tension control, and applying relaxation skills to real-life situations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Health Education
Background:
- Elderly individuals often face unique stressors.
- Effective coping mechanisms are crucial for well-being in older adults.
- Existing medical models may not fully address the educational needs for stress management in seniors.
Observation:
- A case report illustrates the Stress Management Training (SMT) procedure.
- The SMT procedure is presented as an educational model, not a medical one.
- The psychotherapist acts as an educator within this framework.
Findings:
- The SMT procedure equips elderly persons with a cognitive understanding of stress and relaxation.
- Participants learn to control muscle tension and sympathetic nervous system activity for relaxation.
- The training enables the extension of relaxation skills to manage real-life stressful situations.
Implications:
- This educational model offers a novel approach to enhancing coping skills in the elderly.
- Social learning theory provides a valuable framework for understanding and addressing mental health in this demographic.
- The findings suggest the potential for widespread adoption of SMT in geriatric care and education.