title: [The Effect of Structured Group Reminiscence Therapy on the Life Satisfaction of Institutionalized Elderly].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term care institutions have become an option for older people who are dependent in daily living. However, insufficient attention has been focused on assessing the life satisfaction of those currently residing in these institutions in Taiwan. Previous research indicates that group reminiscence may improve the life satisfaction of older adults. However, there is currently no consensus regarding the implementation and evaluation of reminiscence interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of a structured group reminiscence protocol on the life satisfaction of institutionalized older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a quasi-experimental design. A total of 48 older adults were conveniently recruited from two long-term care institutions in southern Taiwan. The experimental group (n = 23) received 8 weeks of structured-group reminiscence for 40 minutes weekly, while the control group (n = 25) received routine care from the institution. Both groups were evaluated using a life-satisfaction questionnaire before and after the intervention and again four weeks later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Life satisfaction scores were statistically similar on the pre-test and significantly different on both post-test questionnaires for the two groups. The scores for the experimental and control groups were pre-test: 24.22 vs 23.36 (p = .063); post-test I: 27.22 vs 23.32 (p < .001); and post-test II: 26.43 vs 23.00 (p < .001). The mean post-test scores for the experimental group were significantly higher than the pre-test score (p < .001). The generalized estimating equation test showed that the overall score of life satisfaction for the experimental group increased by 0.85-points (p = .042) more than the control group, which is a significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support that the 8-week structured group reminiscence protocol effectively enhances life satisfaction in older adults. The results of this study may be referenced in the continuing education of nurses working in long-term care institutions in the context of helping nurses organize, facilitate, and evaluate this protocol.
authors: MSN, RN, Assistant Head Nurse, Department of Nursing, Yuan's General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Shu-Mei
authors: SM
authors: Chen
authors: PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Chien-Lin
authors: CL
authors: Kuo
authors: PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Mei-Rong
authors: MR
authors: Chen
authors: MS, RN, Consultant, Department of Nursing, Yuan's General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. ft059@fy.edu.tw.
authors: Lai-Ling
authors: LL
authors: Lee
authors: MS, RN, Supervisor, Department of Nursing, Yuan's General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Pi-Yueh
authors: PY
authors: Lee
authors: BSN, RN, Head Nurse, Department of Nursing, Yuan's General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Shu-Fen
authors: SF
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*
keywords: group reminiscence; institutionalized older adults; life satisfaction