The impact of “The Art of Happiness” class on community dwelling older adults: a positive psychology intervention

Greenawalt, Katie; Orsega-Smith, Elizabeth; Turner, Jennie; Goodwin, Steve; Rathie, Erica

doi:10.1080/01924788.2018.1493898

Cited by 22 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Encouraging results regarding the potential to acquire and cultivate strengths at old age were reported in Owens et al (2018) study which examined strength development from a lifespan perspective, and found that although people’s most dominant strengths are stable throughout life, strengths can fluctuate throughout the lifespan. However, most studies conducted within the field of positive psychology have not paid sufficient direct attention to aging population (Araújo et al, 2017; Greenawalt et al, 2019), while most of them were limited to “top-down” quantitative designs. Along these lines, Battersby and Phillips (2016), advocated the importance of qualitative methods to explore “what is meaningful for older adults,” as this construct “is not well understood” (p. 199).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Something to Live for”: Experiences, Resources, and Personal Strengths in Late Adulthood

Russo‐Netzer

Littman-Ovadia

2019

Front. Psychol.

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Due to increased life expectancy, the population segment of older adults has grown the fastest. The global phenomenon of population aging raises important questions regarding successful, positive, active, and meaningful aging. Given that aging is often characterized by declines in physical and mental health and increased risk for social isolation and depression, and given that the concept of well-being in old age is both elusive and complex, the present study explored how aging is experienced through a “bottom-up,” open-ended approach. Thirty-one in-depth semi-structured personal interviews were conducted with adults aged 60 and above in order to explore the question: what concerns older adults in their day-to-day living, and what are their perceived resources? The findings illuminated three prominent themes: (1) central concerns described by the participants as characterizing their experience at this life stage; (2) strategies employed by the participants to cope with concerns and to live a meaningful life in old age; and (3) resources and character strengths that facilitate coping strategies and enable thriving. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Something to Live for”: Experiences, Resources, and Personal Strengths in Late Adulthood

Russo‐Netzer

Littman-Ovadia

2019

Front. Psychol.

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“…Word of mouth was used to recruit participants. Flyers describing the treatment were also sent to the community (e.g., libraries, hospitals, churches, synagogues, local newspapers, radios and agencies serving older adults) and at events attended by older adults [ 29 , 30 , 34 , 39 ]. Letters of invitation were also sent to a specific Christian church community in one study [ 27 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have indicated that forgiveness interventions with older adults can effectively promote others’ forgiveness [ 27 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ]; but not self-forgiveness among institutionalized older adults [ 36 ]. Additionally, forgiveness interventions reduced depression [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], anxiety [ 27 , 38 ], psychological distress [ 33 , 39 ] and anger [ 33 , 35 ]. Forgiveness intervention also reduced rumination in older adults, a cognitive response style characterized by repetitive thinking which relates to depression [ 29 , 33 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forgiveness Interventions for Older Adults: A Review

López

Serrano

Giménez

et al. 2021

JCM

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A meta-analysis of the efficacy of forgiveness interventions in older adults was conducted. International databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for studies published from 1990 to 2020 that attempted to promote forgiveness in older adults. Most intervention studies are group treatments targeted towards community-dwelling older adults. Participants in these studies are mainly women. The intervention objectives and contents vary widely and often criteria are not well-defined. Participants that received forgiveness interventions reported significantly higher levels of forgiveness than participants that did not receive treatment. Additionally, forgiveness interventions resulted in more changes in depression, stress and anger than no intervention conditions. Forgiveness treatment also enhances positive states (satisfaction with life, subjective happiness, and psychological wellbeing). The reported effects are moderate. The specific treatment model (e.g., Enright’s, Worthington’s) and format (e.g., group-based interventions and individually delivered programs) do not differentially predict better outcomes. In conclusion, future intervention studies should include more male participants and utilize a broader range of follow-up periods. Caution must be exercised because of the limited number of studies developed to date; researchers must be cautious when generalizing the results.

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“…Numerous intervention studies with older adults in the community, clinics, and in nursing homes have reported noticeable improvements in their psychological well-being (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36), subjective happiness (36)(37)(38)(39), and life satisfaction (30,40,41). These changes in well-being are accompanied by improvements in the quality of sleep (30,33), better working memory (32), decreased anxiety (36), higher levels of overall mindfulness (42), and improvements in self-reported feelings of depression and depressive symptoms (30, 34-36, 38, 39, 42).…”

Section: Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fostering Well-Being in the Elderly: Translating Theories on Positive Aging to Practical Approaches

Bar-Tur

2021

Front. Med.

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This article overviews positive aging concepts and strategies to enhance well-being in the elderly and then presents a translation of theories on positive aging to practical approaches for Positive Aging. Drawing upon positive psychology and positive aging research and tools, this program is designed to help older adults improve their well-being by acquiring skills and strategies to cope with present and future challenges. The Mental Fitness Program for Positive Aging (MFPPA) can enhance seniors' quality of life by increasing their vital involvement and active engagement in life. This model is most appropriate for community dwelling individuals. It can easily be conducted in wide range of adult education programs in community centers, sheltered homes, and primary care clinics. It can also be conducted through online psychoeducational training.

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The impact of “The Art of Happiness” class on community dwelling older adults: a positive psychology intervention

Cited by 22 publications

References 25 publications

“Something to Live for”: Experiences, Resources, and Personal Strengths in Late Adulthood

“Something to Live for”: Experiences, Resources, and Personal Strengths in Late Adulthood

Forgiveness Interventions for Older Adults: A Review

Fostering Well-Being in the Elderly: Translating Theories on Positive Aging to Practical Approaches

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