title: Effects of teaching resourcefulness skills to elders.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of learned resourcefulness training (LRT) on health of elders in retirement communities (RCs). In a clinical trial, 46 elders in four randomly selected RCs received resourcefulness training and were compared to 43 elders in four RCs who participated in a focused reflection reminiscence (FRR) group. The two groups were similar at baseline. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no changes on anxiety or depression over time; however, both were significantly correlated with functional status (r's = 0.29 and 0.35, p's < 0.01), self-assessed health (r's = -0.18 and -0.26, p's < 0.05), and resourcefulness (r's = -0.24 and -0.21, p's < 0.05). Although main effects for group were not significant, interaction effects of group and time on self-assessed health and functional status were found. These findings suggest that although teaching resourcefulness to groups of elders in RCs may have beneficial effects on improving their perception of health and functioning over time, significant effects on mental health may not be apparent.
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44016-4904, USA. jaz@case.edu
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zauszniewski
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eggenschwiler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preechawong
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology