Well-Being, Self-Efficacy and Independence in older adults: A Randomized Trial of Occupational Therapy

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the research was to analyze whether there were differences in the effects of individual and group occupational therapy (OT) treatment on psychological well-being, self-efficacy and personal independence. METHOD: A randomized clinical trial (N = 70; age = 85 years, SD = 4) comparing individual versus group occupational therapy treatment for 6 months was conducted. The evaluation was performed with the Barthel Index (Personal Independence), the Ryff Wellness Index (Well-being), the Global Self-Efficacy Scale (Self-efficacy) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (Affective state Scale). RESULTS: Results showed a decrease in individual treatment scores in the variables autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth and purpose in life, reflecting worse self-acceptance and negative well-being as well as a lower ability to maintain stable relationships. By contrast, group treatment users maintained more stable social relationships and exhibited a greater ability to resist social pressure, to develop their potential skills and to define their goals in life. There were statistically significant differences in overall self-efficacy (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001) and personal independence (p = 0.013), with better scores in group versus individual treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Group occupational therapy interventions in older adults could be the treatment of choice in people with depressed state, improving their emotional well-being, sense of self-efficacy and level of personal independence in basic activities of daily living.