Improving Mental Health, Self-Efficacy and Social Support in Older People Through Community Intervention Based on Mindfulness: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

A seven-week mindfulness-based community intervention reduced depression and improved self-efficacy among older adults (≥65 years) at a six-month follow-up. In a quasi-experimental study with 257 participants, those in the intervention group showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms and better general self-efficacy, chronic disease self-management self-efficacy, and physical activity and nutritional self-efficacy compared with a non-intervention comparison group. Perceived social support increased within the intervention group, but between-group differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for baseline covariates. The program appears to offer mental health and self-management benefits for older people in community settings.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Aging is a complex process that involves various biological, psychological and social changes. Moreover, older people (≥65 years) are more susceptible to lower self-efficacy and social support, as well as deteriorating mental health. As the global population ages, there is a growing demand for evidence-based interventions tailored to address specific mental health problems, enhance social support and improve overall well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a seven-week mindfulness-based community intervention on mental health, self-efficacy and social support in older people. Methods: This quasi-experimental nonrandomized study included 257 participants who were divided into an intervention group and a comparison group that did not participate in the seven-week mindfulness-based community intervention and was not part of a waiting list. Assessments were conducted before the intervention began and 6 months after its completion. Results: The results revealed a significant reduction in depression in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the intervention led to a significant improvement in general self-efficacy, chronic disease self-management self-efficacy, physical activity and nutritional self-efficacy compared with the comparison group. Perceived social support increased within the intervention group; however, covariate adjusted between-group effects for social support were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Overall, the mindfulness-based community intervention was associated with improvements in current depressive symptoms and multiple self-efficacy domains at 6-month follow-up in older people in a community setting. Effects on perceived social support were less robust, and no statistically significant between-group differences were observed after adjustment for baseline covariates. The results of the present study show that this program leads to immediate health benefits in terms of mental health and self-efficacy in older people while contributing to the development of effective strategies for chronic disease self-management.