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01-12-2009 | Original Paper

The Effects of Integrative Reminiscence on Depressive Symptomatology and Mastery of Older Adults

Authors: Ernst Bohlmeijer, Jeannet Kramer, Filip Smit, Simone Onrust, Harm van Marwijk

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 6/2009

Abstract

A quasi-experimental (non-randomized) study was conducted to study the effects of a new intervention The story of your life that combines integrative reminiscence with narrative therapy. The program consists of seven sessions of two hours and one follow-up session after 8 weeks. It is directed at community-dwelling people of 55 years and older with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. After the intervention the participants showed significantly less depressive symptoms and higher mastery, also in comparison with a waiting-list control group. Demographic factors and initial levels of depressive symptomatology and mastery were not found to moderate the effects. The effects were maintained at 3 months after completion of the intervention. Although the new program was positively evaluated by the majority of the participants there is room for improvement. Adaptations should be made, and evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.

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Title: The Effects of Integrative Reminiscence on Depressive Symptomatology and Mastery of Older Adults
Authors: Ernst Bohlmeijer
Jeannet Kramer
Filip Smit
Simone Onrust
Harm van Marwijk
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9246-z

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The Effects of Integrative Reminiscence on Depressive Symptomatology and Mastery of Older Adults

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