Elders' perceptions of the role of group psychotherapy in fostering self-transcendence.
Psychotherapeutic goals and interventions for older adults, like those for children and other age groups, need to be developmentally appropriate. Past clinical research has shown that self-transcendence is a resource for mental health in later life. The effectiveness of group psychotherapy in facilitating self-transcendence in elders was examined, applying a method of analysis in which a small, intact clinical sample could be used to generate data for research purposes. Results, based on a matrix analysis of group members' perceptions, indicated that group psychotherapy enhanced self-transcendence in various ways. Group psychotherapy may be used not only as a cost-effective treatment modality, but also as a theory-based intervention that is developmentally-appropriate for elders.
Young
C A
CA
Veterans' Administration Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85723, USA.
Reed
P G
PG
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010553:Personality Development; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000191:economics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000191:economics; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D016896:Treatment Outcome