Korean J Adult Nurs.  2018 Oct;30(5):546-554. 10.7475/kjan.2018.30.5.546.

Effects of a Group Reminiscence Program on Self-forgiveness, Life Satisfaction, and Death Anxiety among Institutionalized Older Adults

• Jo KH
• An GJ

• KMID: 2423845
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2018.30.5.546

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to examine the effects of a group reminiscence program on self-forgiveness, life satisfaction, and death anxiety among Korean older adults in nursing homes.
METHODS
This study was undertaken in two nursing homes in Korea using a nonequivalent control group with a pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 47 older adults aged 69 to 91 years. The experimental group underwent the group reminiscence program for eight weeks. All participants' self-forgiveness, life satisfaction, and death anxiety levels were measured using the State Self-Forgiveness Scale-Korea (SSFS-K), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), respectively, before and after the eight-week intervention.
RESULTS
After the group reminiscence program, life satisfaction (t=3.23, p=.003) and death anxiety (t=2.49, p=.018) levels of the experimental group improved significantly compared to those of the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in self-forgiveness between the experimental and control groups.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that use of the group reminiscence program can be considered an effective intervention, with a positive impact on life satisfaction and death anxiety of Korean older adults in nursing homes.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Anxiety*
Forgiveness
Humans
Korea
Nursing Homes
Personal Satisfaction

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