Attachment-focused integrative reminiscence with older African Americans: a randomized controlled intervention study

Objectives: Prior integrative reminiscence interventions have had a limited focus on attachment themes. The attachment-focused integrative reminiscence (AFIR) intervention differs from these in its central emphasis on attachment themes. The wide range of health benefits resulting from integrative re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aging & mental health 2016-05, Vol.20 (5), p.517-528
Main Authors: Sabir, Myra, Henderson, Charles R., Kang, Suk-Young, Pillemer, Karl
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
African American older adults
African Americans - psychology
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
attachment
Communication
Community Mental Health Services
depression
Depression - ethnology
Depression - psychology
Depression - therapy
Female
health disparities
Health Status Disparities
Humans
integrative reminiscence
Male
Memory
Mental Recall
Middle Aged
Object Attachment
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
perceived stress
Personal Satisfaction
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychotherapy, Group - methods
Self Concept
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Summary:Objectives: Prior integrative reminiscence interventions have had a limited focus on attachment themes. The attachment-focused integrative reminiscence (AFIR) intervention differs from these in its central emphasis on attachment themes. The wide range of health benefits resulting from integrative reminiscence may be due in part to reminiscing about, mourning, and integrating unresolved attachment experiences. Method: Participants were randomized into treatment and wait-list control conditions, completed a pre-test, met for eight consecutive weekly two-hour sessions of largely attachment-focused reminiscence, then completed post-tests immediately following the intervention and again six months later. Results: Results show treatment effects for depression (p = .01 and .05 at eight weeks and six months), perceived stress (p = .01 and .04), and emergency room (ER) visits at six months (p = .04), with the intervention group showing lower depression and stress and fewer ER visits. Conclusion: Integrative reminiscence interventions are cost effective, have rapid impact, and carry a certain appeal to older adults. Augmenting such interventions with a focus on attachment experiences may reduce perceived stress, an important health risk factor. Wider application of AFIRs may further reduce health disparities among US older adults.
ISSN:1360-7863
1364-6915
DOI:10.1080/13607863.2015.1023764