A creative reminiscence program for older adults with severe mental disorders: results of a pilot evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
Older adults with severe mental disorders experience major dissatisfaction with conditions of life that are connected with aging. To assist them in developing a coherent, meaningful life-story and to improve their life satisfaction, we conducted a pilot evaluation of a creative reminiscence program called Searching for meaning in life.


METHODS
One week before and one week after the intervention 36 participants from three psychiatric hospitals and one sheltered housing program were interviewed. Life satisfaction was measured with the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Moral Scale (PGCMS). At follow-up questions were also asked about the intervention.


RESULTS
About 78% of the participants completed the course. Most of them were satisfied with the course (74%). The overall sample showed significantly more life satisfaction after the intervention. Participants with a psychotic disorder also improved significantly in life satisfaction but at the same time their depressive symptoms increased significantly. Participants with a moderate to high level of depressive symptoms at baseline had relatively favorable outcomes. Their life satisfaction had improved significantly and they especially had a better attitude toward their aging.


CONCLUSIONS
The program is feasible and acceptable for adults with severe mental illness and it has potential benefits for them. More research is needed to find out what explains the increase of depressive symptoms for participants with psychotic disorders.
Willemse
Bernadette M
BM
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Trimbos-Instituut, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands. bwillemse@trimbos.nl
Depla
Marja F I A
MF
Bohlmeijer
Ernst T
ET
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D003405:Creativity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index