Effectiveness of Humor Therapy upon Depression among the Elderly

Nathiya, K (2011) Effectiveness of Humor Therapy upon Depression among the Elderly. Masters thesis, Apollo College of Nursing, Chennai.

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of humor therapy upon depression among elderly population at selected old age homes, Chennai. OBJECTIVES: 1. To find out the prevalence of depression among elderly people in selected old homes. 2. To assess the effectiveness of humor therapy on depression among the elderly population. 3. To find out the association between the selected variables and the level of depression among elderly people. 4. To determine the level of satisfaction of humor therapy in the experimental group of elderly people. The study utilized the true experimental research design and the study was conducted at Anandham Home for the Aged, Kallikuppam and Little Drops Home for the Aged, Paraniputhur. Sixty elderly clients were selected and randomizations of the settings were done. Out of which, 30 clients were assigned to control group and 30 clients were assigned to experimental group. The depression scores were assessed for both the control and experimental group in both before and after therapy. Humor therapy was given in the experimental group for a period of two weeks, 1hr in a day. NULL HYPOTHESE: Ho1: There will be no significant difference in the depression scores in elderly people before and after humor therapy in control and experimental group. Ho2: There will be no association between the selected Demographic and clinical variables and the level of depression before and after humor therapy in the experimental and control group. The conceptual framework for this study is based on Roy’s adaptation model [1995] given by Sister Callista Roy with stimuli, adaptation mode, and behavior. An extensive review of literature and guidance by experts formed the foundations to the development of the tool. An experimental research approach was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The investigator used a Demographic variable proforma, Clinical variable proforma, Geriatric Depression Scale and a rating scale on the level of satisfaction of the humor therapy to collect the data. The data collection tools were validated and reliability was established. After the pilot study, the data for the main study was collected. The collected data was tabulated and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Prevalence of depression among elderly people: The prevalence of depression among elderly people residing in the old age home was as follows as mild depression (46.62%) ,very depressed (18.91%) and overall as (65.53%). Demographic variables of the geriatrics with depression: A significant percentage of the elderly people in experimental and control were aged between 60-65 yrs (36.66%, 46.66%), females (73.3%, 66.6%), have studied up to secondary education (33.3%, 23.3%). Most of them were married in experimental group and control group (53.33%, 56.6%). Almost all of them (100%) were Hindus in the experimental group; whereas the majority of the participants in the control group were Christians (86.6%). The duration of stay in the old age home for majority of the elderly people were ≤ 1 year in experimental group (70%) and most of the elderly people in the control group (56.6%). Hypertension was the major illness present in both experimental and control group (20%, 23.3%) of the elderly people. Level of depression of geriatrics before and after humor therapy: Majority of geriatrics in the experimental and control group had mild depression (60%, 73.33%) and very depressed (40%, 26.66%) in the pre test. In the post test, 73.33% of the geriatrics in the experimental group has come to normal and 26.66% had mild depression. Where as in control group 70% had mild depression and 30% were very depressed. So the null hypothesis H01 is rejected. Mean and standard deviation of level of depression of elderly people before and after humor therapy: The depression score among experimental group in the pretest was high (M=16.33, SD=3.812) while comparing to the post test depression score (M=9.26, SD=1.712) which is high significant at p <0.001 level. Whereas in control group the depression score was almost the same (M=15.76, SD=2.639) in pretest and post test (M=15.13, SD=3.30) which is not significant (p<0.05). The study results showed that humor therapy reduced the level of depression among the geriatrics. Association between selected demographic variable and the level of depression of elderly people: Chi square test was done and association was tested. It was found that there was significant association between the selected variables (age, educational status, marital status and duration of stay in the old age home and medical illness) and the level of depression in both the experimental and control group. Hence the null hypothesis was rejected. There were no significant relationship between other selected variables and the level of depression, hence the null hypothesis was accepted. Level of satisfaction of humor therapy: The study results indicated that the geriatrics had high level of satisfaction on receiving humor therapy (86.66%). CONCLUSION: The findings of the study revealed that being in old age home and the feeling of loneliness were the causes of depression in the elderly people. Physical limitations and financial constraints added to their agony. Humor therapy is a non pharmacological psychosocial intervention for the treatment of depression.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Effectiveness, Humor Therapy, Depression, Elderly.
Subjects: NURSING > Psychiatric Nursing
Depositing User: Subramani R
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2020 16:25
Last Modified: 30 Aug 2020 13:24
URI: http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/id/eprint/13085

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