Effect of mindfulness behavior training on negative emotions and quality of life for the elderly with retirement syndrome

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of mindfulness behavior training on negative emotions and quality of life for the elderly with retirement syndrome. Methods A total of 89 elderly people with retirement syndrome was divided into experimental group (45 cases, regular exercise) and control group (44 cases, regular exercise + mindfulness behavior training) according to single blind random number table grouping method. The effect was evaluated by mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS), profile of mood states (POMS) and SF-36 before and after the intervention. Results Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in scores of MAAS, POMS and SF-36 (P>0.05). After the intervention, scores of MAAS, POMS and SF-36 were all higher than those before training (P<0.05). The score of MAAS (59.26±9.32) in experimental group was higher than that in control group (54.32±9.44), (t=2.48; P<0.05); Scores of POMS in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, fatigue-inertia and vigor-activity were (17.84±2.36), (17.10±2.24), (16.20±2.81) and (27.30±2.66) in the experimental group were better than those in the control group (21.90±2.28), (20.20±3.42), (21.24±2.88), (21.43±3.20), (t=6.48, 3.99, 6.56 and 7.41; P<0.05); average scores of SF-36 in experimental group were higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Scores of SF-36 were higher than those in control group except for the item of social function (P<0.05). Conclusions Mindfulness behavior training can improve negative emotions and quality of life for the elderly with retirement syndrome. Key words: Aged; Retirement syndrome; Mindfulness behavior training; Negative emotions; Quality of life