Effect of Group Reminiscence Therapy on the Social Well-being of Retired Older Men In Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

Background & Aims Aging is associated with declined health. To maintain the health of the elderly, it is necessary to develop preventive health measures. Social well-being is an important dimension of health in the elderly. The present study aims to determine the effect of group reminiscence therapy on the social well-being of retired older men in Zahedan, Iran. Materials & Methods This is a quasi-experimental study that was conducted in 2018. Participants were 90 retired older men aged 60-75 years in Zahedan, Iran who were selected by a convenience method and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Data collection tools were a demographic form and Keyes’ social well-being scale-short form. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software, version 16. Results The Mean±SD age was 68.02±3.46 in the intervention group and 68.64±4.60 years in the control group. The results of independent t-test showed that the mean score of social well-being after reminiscence intervention was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.002). Conclusion Group reminiscence therapy has a positive effect on the social well-being of retired older men. Since the elderly are interested in sharing memories and considering that reminiscence therapy is an attractive, simple and cost-effective intervention, it can be used to improve their social well-being.