As elders live longer, they are increasingly vulnerable to chronic illness and age-related neurophysiologic changes that impair their ability to function independently, Acceptance of these changes is difficult as elders strive to maintain independence; their resourcefulness is challenged while their daily functioning is compromised. Purpose: This study examined changes in the affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions (ABC) of personal functioning that are associated with chronic illness in older adults. Theoretical framework: Hornby’s (1990) theory of human functioning and personal change views ABC as interrelated dimensions with changes in one dimension influencing the others. Subjects: This clinical trial involved 176 chronically ill elders who were housed in one of 17 Northeast Ohio retirement communities that were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions. Methods: Elders participated in six 2-hour weekly group sessions of Resourcefulness Training (RT), Acceptance Training (AT), or Diversional Activities (DA). All elders within a single retirement community received the same treatment. Negative emotions, depressive cognitions, and functional behaviors were measured pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-weeks. Measures included the Emotional Symptom Checklist (Zauszniewski, 2002) for affect, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (Fries, 1996) for behavior, and the Depressive Cognition Scale (Zauszniewski, 1995) for cognition. Results: In the total sample and treatment subgroups, measures of affect, behavior, and cognition were correlated significantly. The RT group improved immediately on affect (t=4.91; p<.001) and cognition (t=2.03; p<.05); these effects lasted 12-weeks. The AT group improved immediately on affect (t=3.08; p<.01); but this effect did not persist. The RT and AT groups had positive behavior changes at 6- and 12-weeks. The DA group had no positive changes in ABC. Conclusion: The findings suggest that teaching elders resourcefulness and acceptance of their chronic conditions may successfully promote their healthy functioning and lead to personal changes that enrich their quality of life.
Session #1115 - Environmental Supports for Aging
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)