Psychiatric nursing intervention in depressed elderly patients

It was postulated that the elderly person would respond favorably by a reduction of depressive symptoms if provided the opportunity for participation in a group situation. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of planned short term psychiatric nursing intervention in group work with depressed elderly patients. Sixteen patients were treated in two groups: group I designed to interrupt the depression through psychotherapeutic group experiences, and group II designed to provide an effective social group experience through group discussion. The groups were continued over a period of six weeks, meeting three times weekly. Comparison of the results of the two methods of intervention was made through testing before, during, and after group experiences. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale was given to both groups of patients. The results, using a t test, showed that there was no significant change in the degree of depression of patients in either group. Analysis of variance of the data from the opinion needs questionnaire, given to both groups, suggested that there is a need for nursing to explore the special problems of the elderly in nursing homes. The patients expressed opinions about the nursing care they received in four categories: interpersonal needs, physical needs, knowledge needs social needs. The patients in Group I expressed more positive opinions about nursing care than the patients in Group II. Although the results were not of statistical significance, the trend was toward support of the hypothesis that elderly patients provide with a psychiatric nursing intervention would show an increase in positive opinions expressed about nursing care. The greatest degree of change occurred in the category concerned with interpersonal needs. Implications of the study for nursing care of elderly patients in nursing homes were made, along with this population. Continuation of the group work with elderly patients over a longer period of time was suggested in order to explore the trend indicated in Group I toward positive change in the depressive symptoms.