Development and evaluation of a narrative therapy program combined with a solution-focused approach for nursing home residents: A quasi-experimental study

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) Vol. 58; pp. 310 - 317
• Main Authors: Zhang, Zhefu, Chen, Liangying, Lu, Yuanfeng, Pan, Xiaohui, Xiao, Huimin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Narrative therapy; Nursing home; Older adults; Psychological adjustment; Psychological intervention; Solution-focused approach; NTCSF; SDS; Psychological adjustment; NHAS; Solution-focused approach; Narrative therapy; GSES; Older adults; Nursing home; Psychological intervention; WHO
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.06.011

•We developed a structured narrative therapy-combined-with-a solution focus (NTCSF) program for nursing home residents.•Implementing psychological interventions is essential for well-being of older adults who moving into nursing homes.•Positive outcomes were reported in terms of psychological adjustment, depression, self-efficacy. The transition from the family home to a nursing home can be an emotionally stressful experience for older adults. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and effects of a narrative therapy combined with a solution focus (NTCSF) program on the psychological adjustment, depression, and self-efficacy of nursing home residents. A non-random concurrent controlled trial was conducted in Fujian, China that involved 81 participants (intervention = 41, comparison = 40) from four separate nursing homes. The control group received routine institutional care, while the intervention group underwent a three-week NTCSF program in addition to receiving routine care. In the variance analyses, significant differences were found in “psychological adjustment” (T = 4.007, P < 0.001) and “self-efficacy” (T = 3.204, P = 0.002), compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in “depression” (t = -1.550, P = 0.125) between the groups at the baseline, but the experimental group showed a significant decrease in depression (t = -2.204, P = 0.033) after the intervention. The NTCSF program was found to be effective in improving the psychological adjustment of nursing home residents. Trial registration This study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration No: ChiCTR-2100042767).