Page 161 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, eds. 2018. Zdravje starostnikov ▪︎ Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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rapy with older clients: What are the psychological challenges? posterji | poster presentations
Isabel Leal, Sofia von Humboldt
William James Center for Research, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do
Tabaco, 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
Introduction: This research aims to evaluate psycho-emotional challenges for
older adults and the relevance of person-centered therapy (PCT) for older
adults.
Methods: Eighty-six older adults, aged above 65 years (M = 71.7; SD = 4.6)
were assessed with the the Self-Esteem Scale (‘SES’) and the Mini-Mental State
Examination (MMSE). Socio-demographic data, including gender (57.5% wom-
en), marital status (37.5% married) and education (39.2% mandatory school)
were also assessed. Bivariate associations were performed.
Results: Results yielded a set of five descriptive categories that captured the
distinct ways older adults perceived psycho-emotional challenges and that re-
flected the individual's perceived importance of PCT: ’time perspective’, ‘the
aging body’, ‘autonomy and control’, ‘cognitive endurance’ and ‘loss and remi-
niscing’. Regarding bivariate associations, results indicated that ‘autonomy and
control’ was associated with the ‘aging body’ (r=.552, p<.001) and ‘cognitive
endurance’ with ‘time perspective’ (r=.425, p<.001). This latter was also asso-
ciated with ‘loss and reminiscing’ (r=.616, p<.001).
Discussion and conclusions: This study highlights the importance of PCT for
older adults facing psycho-emotional challenges in old age. Interventions with
older adults may benefit from clearly understanding older adults’ specific is-
sues as an important component for promoting successful aging and reducing
health disparities.
Keywords: Aging, care, congruence, older adults, person-centered therapy,
psycho-emotional challenges, successful aging.
159
Isabel Leal, Sofia von Humboldt
William James Center for Research, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do
Tabaco, 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
Introduction: This research aims to evaluate psycho-emotional challenges for
older adults and the relevance of person-centered therapy (PCT) for older
adults.
Methods: Eighty-six older adults, aged above 65 years (M = 71.7; SD = 4.6)
were assessed with the the Self-Esteem Scale (‘SES’) and the Mini-Mental State
Examination (MMSE). Socio-demographic data, including gender (57.5% wom-
en), marital status (37.5% married) and education (39.2% mandatory school)
were also assessed. Bivariate associations were performed.
Results: Results yielded a set of five descriptive categories that captured the
distinct ways older adults perceived psycho-emotional challenges and that re-
flected the individual's perceived importance of PCT: ’time perspective’, ‘the
aging body’, ‘autonomy and control’, ‘cognitive endurance’ and ‘loss and remi-
niscing’. Regarding bivariate associations, results indicated that ‘autonomy and
control’ was associated with the ‘aging body’ (r=.552, p<.001) and ‘cognitive
endurance’ with ‘time perspective’ (r=.425, p<.001). This latter was also asso-
ciated with ‘loss and reminiscing’ (r=.616, p<.001).
Discussion and conclusions: This study highlights the importance of PCT for
older adults facing psycho-emotional challenges in old age. Interventions with
older adults may benefit from clearly understanding older adults’ specific is-
sues as an important component for promoting successful aging and reducing
health disparities.
Keywords: Aging, care, congruence, older adults, person-centered therapy,
psycho-emotional challenges, successful aging.
159
