The Use of Solution-Focused Therapy with an Elderly Population

Abstract

This study examines the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of treating seniors with solution-focused therapy (SFT) in an outpatient setting. Data was collected from 74 patients. Patients receiving outpatient behavioral services were referred to treatment for the following problems: depression, anxiety, marital problems, and stress related to chronic illness. The measures used were pre and post self-scaling scores, motivational scores, and pre and post Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores. In addition, patient satisfaction questionnaires were begun during the second quarter of the study. Individual two-tailed, paired t tests were used to test the differences between time one and time two self-scaling scores and GAF scores, t tests showed statistically significant increases for both self-scaling and GAF scores (p < .05). Sixty-nine of the seventy-four participants filled out a satisfaction survey. Patients indicated high satisfaction with behavioral health services. Consistent with results reported from previous research studies, this study revealed the clinical effectiveness of SFT. This study went on to demonstrate what has not been well documented in the literature, namely SFT's effectiveness with elderly outpatients. In conclusion, preliminary implications for clinicians indicate that SFT can produce significant clinical outcomes with senior outpatient populations.