Preparing for aging: Development, feasibility and preliminary results of an educational program for midlife and older based on proactive coping theory

Abstract

Objectives: This article describes the development, content, feasibility and first results of a short educational program for preparing for aging, based on the process model of proactive coping [Aspinwall LG, Taylor SE. A stitch in time: self regulation and proactive coping. Psychol Bull 1997; 121: 417-36]. The aim of the program is to increase proactive competencies and improve proactive orientations and behaviour. The program consists of four-weekly meetings with 8-10 participants and is given by trainers of about the same age as the participants. Methods: Sixty-eight persons (M = 61.4 years) participated in the program. Feasibility included attendance, participants evaluations of the meetings and the applicability of the used techniques. Proactive coping was measured as proactive orientation, behaviour and competencies. Results: The program received positive evaluations, the attendance rate was very satisfying, and the applicability of the used techniques have been shown. Regarding the technique of mental simulation, improvements were suggested. We found gender differences concerning feasibility: women evaluated the program to be easier and reported to have profited more from mental simulation. Preliminary results of proximal outcome variables showed significant changes in proactive competencies, but no changes in proactive behaviour and proactive orientation. Conclusions: The educational program ''In anticipation of the golden years'' is a theoretical based minimal intervention which is highly feasible and effective in improving proactive competencies. #

A review of successful aging models: Proposing proactive coping as an important additional strategy

“…A recent intervention study was designed by Bode, De Ridder, and Bensing (2006), which is the first study that examined to what extent middle-aged and older people between 50 and 75 years old may be capable of learning to use proactive coping. It demonstrated that a minimal intervention program of four meetings is enough to change the 68 individuals' proactive coping competencies.…”

“…It demonstrated that a minimal intervention program of four meetings is enough to change the 68 individuals' proactive coping competencies. Not only proved their program "In anticipation of the golden years" to be successful in learning its participants to employ proactive coping, it was also regarded by the participants as appealing and highly feasible (Bode et al, 2006).…”

How to understand and improve older people’s self-management of wellbeing

“…Stevens 2001). Relatively few interventions are designed to explicitly focus on the achievement and maintenance of overall wellbeing in later life, by teaching preventive and (pro)active self-management abilities for ageing successfully (for an exception see Bode et al 2005). Therefore, in this paper we aim to contribute to the development of such self-management interventions.…”

Gezond verstand: evidence-based preventie van psychische stoornissen

“…Daarbij is aandacht voor het aanleren van proactieve vaardigheden waarmee problemen in een vroeg stadium voorkomen kunnen worden. (Bode et al, 2006). Effecten op depressie zijn in deze studie niet gemeten.…”