Strengths Based Character Education for the Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/0102.3772e372120Keywords:
Positive Psychology; gerontology; positive intervention; psychological well-beingAbstract
This study aimed to analyze an intervention on Strengths Based Character Education for the Elderly (Educafi) and its effects on the variables character strengths, psychological well-being, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Forty-one elderly people participated in the research, divided into three groups: experimental, active control and control. Participants answered the same questionnaires in three moments: pretest, post-test and follow up. Statistically significant results were obtained for depressive symptoms, but not for the positive constructs assessed. Elderly people who participated in Educafi decreased the levels of these symptoms from the pretest to the post-test. However, in the follow up they returned to the initial levels. The results are discussed and suggestions for Educafi and other positive interventions for the elderly are presented.
Downloads
References
Albuquerque, F. J. B., Rodrigues, C. F. F., Gouveia, C. N. N. A., Martins, C. R., & Neves, M. T. S. (2007, Julho 25-28). Validação de uma escala de satisfação com a vida para idosos de baixa renda na Paraíba [Sessão de poster]. III Congresso Brasileiro de Avaliação Psicológica e XII Conferência Internacional de Avaliação Psicológica: Formas e Contextos, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil. http://www.ibapnet.org.br/congresso2007/LivroPaineis2007.pdf
» http://www.ibapnet.org.br/congresso2007/LivroPaineis2007.pdf
Almeida, O. P., & Almeida, S. A. (1999). Confiabilidade da versão brasileira da Escala de Depressão em Geriatria (GDS) versão reduzida. Arquivos de Neuropsiquiatria, 57(2-B), 421-426. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X1999000300013
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X1999000300013
Baumann, D., Ruch, W., Margelisch, K., Gander, F., & Wagner, L. (2020). Character strengths and life satisfaction in later life: An analysis of different living conditions.Applied Research in Quality of Life, 15, 329-347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-018-9689-x
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-018-9689-x
Beck, J. S. (1997). Terapia cognitiva: Teoria e prática Artmed.
Bertolucci, P. H., Brucki, S., Campacci, S. R., & Juliano, Y. (1994). O Mini-Exame do Estado Mental em uma população geral: impacto da escolaridade. Arquivos de Neuropsiquiatria, 52(1), 01-07. https://www.scielo.br/j/anp/i/1994.v52n1/
» https://www.scielo.br/j/anp/i/1994.v52n1/
Bolier, L., Haverman, M., Westerhof, G., Riper, H., Smit, F., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2013). Positive psychology interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health, 13(119), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-119
» https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-119
Brucki, S. M. D., Nitrini, R., Caramelli, P., Bertolucci, P. H. F., & Okamoto, I. H. (2003). Sugestões para o uso do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental no Brasil. Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr. 61(3B), 777-781. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2003000500014
» http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2003000500014
Cuadra-Peralta, A., Veloso-Besio, C., Puddu-Gallardo, G., Salgado-García, P., & Peralta-Montecinos, J. (2012). Impacto de un programa de Psicología Positiva en sintomatología depresiva y satisfaccion vital en adultos mayores. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 25(4), 644-652. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722012000400003
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722012000400003
Flood, M., &Scharer, K. (2006). Creativity enhancement: Possibilities for successful aging. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 27, 939-959. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840600899832
» https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840600899832
Freitas, E. R. (2019). Forças do caráter de idosos: Conhecer e intervir [Tese de Doutorado, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora] . Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações. https://repositorio.ufjf.br/jspui/handle/ufjf/10102
» https://repositorio.ufjf.br/jspui/handle/ufjf/10102
Freitas, E. R., Barbosa, A. J. G., Reis, G. A., & Gomes, L. B. (2016a). Bem-estar psicológico na clínica com idosos: Avaliação e intervenção. In E. R. Freitas, A. J. G. Barbosa & C. B. Neufeld (Orgs.), Terapias Cognitivo-Comportamentais com Idosos (pp. 119-135). Sinopsys.
Freitas, E. R., Barbosa, A. J. G., & Neufeld, C. B. (2016b). Educação para o caráter: Proposta de intervenção em grupo com idosos para promover forças e virtudes. In E. R. Freitas, A. J. G. Barbosa & C. B. Neufeld (Orgs.), Terapias Cognitivo-Comportamentais com Idosos (pp. 329-351). Sinopsys.
Ghielen, S. T. S., Woerkom, M. V., & Meyers, M. C. (2018). Promoting positive outcomes through strengths interventions: A literature review.The Journal of Positive Psychology,13(6), 573-585. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2017.1365164
» https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2017.1365164
Gouveia, V. V., Barbosa, G. A., Andrade, E. D. O., & Carneiro, M. B. (2005). Medindo a satisfação com a vida dos médicos no Brasil. Jornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria, 54(4), 298-305.
Hill, R. D., & Smith, D. J. (2015). Positive aging: At the crossroads of positive psychology and geriatric medicine. In P. A. Lichtenberg, B. T. Mast, B. D. Carpenter, & J. Loebach Wetherell (Eds.), APA Handbooks in Psychology. APA Handbook of Clinical Geropsychology(vol. 1, pp. 301-329). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14458-013
» https://doi.org/10.1037/14458-013
Ho, H. C., Yeung, D. Y., & Kwok, S. Y. (2014). Development and evaluation of the positive psychology intervention for older adults.The Journalof Positive Psychology, 9(3), 187-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.888577
» https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.888577
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (2018, 26 de abril). Número de idosos cresce 18% em 5 anos e ultrapassa 30 milhões em 2017 https://agenciadenoticias.ibge.gov.br/agencia-noticias/2012-agencia-de-noticias/noticias/20980-numero-de-idosos-cresce-18-em-5-anos-e-ultrapassa-30-milhoes-em-2017
Jiménez, M. G., Izal, M., & Montorio, I. (2016). Programa para la mejora del bienestar de las personas mayores. Estudio piloto basado en la psicología positiva. Suma psicológica, 23(1), 51-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sumpsi.2016.03.001
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sumpsi.2016.03.001
Kashaniyan, F., & Koolaee, A. K. (2015). Effectiveness of positive psychology group interventions on meaning of life and life satisfaction among older adults. Elderly Health Journal, 1(2), 68-74. http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-44-en.html
» http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-44-en.html
Killen, A., & Macaskill, A. (2020). Positive ageing: To what extent can current models of wellbeing categorise the life events perceived as positive by older adults?International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 5, 99-119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-020-00028-6
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-020-00028-6
Lawton, M. P. (1991). A multidimensional view of quality of life in frail elders. In R. P. Abeles (Ed.), The concept and measurement of quality of life in the frail elderly (pp. 3-27). Academic Press.
Littman-Ovadia, H. (2015). Brief report: Short form of the VIA Inventory of Strengths-construction and initial tests of reliability and validity.International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE), 2(4), 229-237. https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijhsse/v2-i4/27.pdf
» https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijhsse/v2-i4/27.pdf
Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2012). Character strengths in Israel: Hebrew adaptation of the VIA Inventory of Strengths. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 28(1), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000089
» https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000089
Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2015). Going the extra mile: Perseverance as a key character strength at work.Journal of Career Assessment, 24(2), 240-252. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072715580322
» https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072715580322
Lourenço, R. A., & Veras, R. P. (2006). Mini-Exame do Estado Mental: Características psicométricas em idosos ambulatoriais.Revista de Saúde Pública,40(4), 712-719. https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rsp/2006.v40n4/712-719/pt
» https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rsp/2006.v40n4/712-719/pt
Lourenço, R. A., Veras, R. P., & Ribeiro, P. C. C. (2008). Confiabilidade teste-reteste do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental em uma população idosa assistida em uma unidade ambulatorial de saúde.Revista Brasileira de Geriatria & Gerontologia,11(1), 7-16. http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=403838777002
» http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=403838777002
McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. (2006). A new Big Five: Fundamental principles for an integrative science of personality. American Psychologist, 61(3), 204-217. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.3.204
» https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.3.204
McCrae, R. R., & Costa Jr, P. T. (1994). The stability of personality: Observations and evaluations.Current Directions in Psychological Science, 3(6), 173-175. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.ep10770693
» https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.ep10770693
Neufeld, C. B., Maltoni, J., Ivatiuk, A. L., & Rangé, B. P. (2017). Aspectos técnicos e o processo em TCCG. In C. B. Neufeld & B. P. Rangé (Orgs.),Terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupos (pp. 33-54). Artmed.
Niemiec, R. M. (2017). Character strengths interventions: A field guide for practitioners Hogrefe.
Oliveira, J. A. G. (2010). Terapia de esperança: Uma intervenção grupal que visa promover a esperança de idosos institucionalizados [Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade de Coimbra]. Repositório Científico da UC. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/15341
» http://hdl.handle.net/10316/15341
World Health Organization. (2015).World report on ageing and health https://www.who.int/ageing/events/world-report-2015-launch/en/
» https://www.who.int/ageing/events/world-report-2015-launch/en/
Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2009). Character strengths: Research and practice. Journal of College & Character, 10(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.2202/1940-1639.1042
» https://doi.org/10.2202/1940-1639.1042
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification American Psychological Association.
Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Wellenzohn, S., & Ruch, W. (2014). Positive psychology interventions in people aged 50-79 years: Long-term effects of placebo-controlled online interventions on well-being and depression. Aging & Mental Health, 18(8), 997-1005. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.899978
» https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.899978
Proyer, R. T., Ruch, W., & Buschor, C. (2013). Testing Strengths-Based Interventions: A preliminary study on the effectiveness of a program targeting curiosity, gratitude, hope, humor, and zest for enhancing life satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(1), 275-292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9331-9
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9331-9
Ramírez, E., Ortega, A. R., Chamorro, A., & Colmenero, J. M. (2014). A program of positive intervention in the elderly: Memories, gratitude and forgiveness.Aging & Mental Health ,18(4), 463-470. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2013.856858
» https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2013.856858
Ribeiro, L. I. O. (2011). Positividade: Intervenção em grupo com pessoas idosas [Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade de Coimbra]. Repositório Científico da UC. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/17721
» http://hdl.handle.net/10316/17721
Rich, G. J. (2009). Character education. In S. J. Lopez (Ed.), The encyclopedia of positive psychology (vol. 2, pp. 129-135). Blackwell Publishing.
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2018). The impact of signature character strengths interventions: A meta-analysis.Journal of Happiness Studies, 20, 1179-1196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9990-2
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9990-2
Scoralick-Lempke, N. N., & Barbosa, A. J. G. (2012). Educação e envelhecimento: Contribuições da perspectiva Life-Span.Estudos de Psicologia,29, 647-655. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/3953/395335581001.pdf
» https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/3953/395335581001.pdf
Seibel, B. L., DeSousa, D., & Koller, S. H. (2015). Adaptação brasileira e estrutura fatorial da Escala 240-item VIA InventoryofStrengths.Psico-USF,20(3), 371-383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712015200301
» http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712015200301
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction.American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14. doi http://10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
» http://10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
Sin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: A practice-friendly meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 467-487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20593
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Eduarda Rezende Freitas, Altemir José Gonçalves Barbosa, Carmem Beatriz Neufeld
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
