Social networks, depressive symptoms and quality of life in the elderly: Results of an intergenerational program

A.P Amaral,M.J Nascimento,C Rocha

doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1245

A.P Amaral, M.J Nascimento + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1245

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Abstract

IntroductionIntergenerational programs involving children and the elderly promote intergenerational interactions and can positively affect physical and mental health, and the quality of life of the elderly.ObjectivesTo test the effects of an intergenerational intervention in social isolation, depressive symptoms and quality of life of the elderly.MethodsThis study employed a pretest-posttest design. Measures: Portuguese versions of Geriatric Depression Scale, Lubben Social Networks Scale and WHOQOL-OLD. Participants: 12 elderly, 75% females, with mean age of 80.8 years (sd=8.8) and 20 kindergarten children (65% female) with mean age of 4,1 years (sd=0.79). The intervention ran for 6 weeks, with 11 intergenerational group sessions, each range between 30 and 120 minutes. A nonparametric paired samples tests was conducted to evaluate the impact of the intervention.ResultsAfter the intervention, when comparing elderly with and without depressive symptoms, results showed significant differences in the total value of quality of life (p=.048) and in the facets: 1) Sensory functioning, 2) Autonomy, 3) Past, present and future activities (p=.003; p=.018; p=.030, respectively). 12,5% of de elderly with depressive symptoms before the intervention no longer have depressive symptoms after the intervention. Regarding social networks, there were no significant differences (p=.576) between the mean values of the two assessments.ConclusionsThe implemented intergenerational program was effective in promoting quality of live and minimized depressive symptoms. After the intervention, the number of the elderly without depressive symptoms have increased and these presented a higher quality of life. Finally, longitudinal studies with a large sample are needed to consolidate results.

Highlights

Health professionals face an increased risk of developing mental health difficulties due to work-related stress
The majority of the research on the psychological impact of job stress among health professionals focused on the work-related stressors or the type of stressors as challenges or hindrances
Objectives: - Examine the effects of job appraisals on mental health. - Establish the role of work engagement as a mediator between them

Summary

Introduction

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training was developed to educate police officers regarding the complexity of mental health (MHI) issues, and better prepare them for crisis encounters with persons with mental illness (PwMI). Objectives: To determine if CIT training improves police officers’ knowledge, attitude, and stigma about mental health issues. Methods: A systematic review followed the PRISMA protocol and was conducted on the PubMed database (Figure 1). Search strings were “crisis intervention team training,” “crisis intervention team,” “CIT,” “effectiveness,” and “police.” Inclusion eligibility required primary studies using surveys that measured the CIT training outcomes (i.e., knowledge, attitude, and stigma).

Objectives

Findings