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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objectives: A higher self-esteem (SE) is suggested by
a reduced difference between ideal and real self. The
present pilot study was designed to investigate if a
brief eight-session individual person-centered therapy
(PCT) intervention on older adults can promote their
SE, as compared with a control group (waiting list). We
hypothesized that participants randomized to PCT would
report improvements in SE from pre- to post-intervention
compared to those not attending PCT sessions.
Method: We recruited 81 persons aged between 65-
82 years (M = 71.9, SD = 4.77) in the Great Lisbon area,
in Portugal and randomized 40 to PCT and 41 to control
group. The PCT intervention consisted of an eight weekly
individual therapy. Measures were completed, including
demographics and the Self-esteem Scale (SES) at the
baseline, post-treatment and at the 12-month follow-up.
Results: Findings indicated that individual PCT with
older adults may improve their SE. The difference between
ideal self and real self, evidenced at follow-up (M =
1.251, SD = .524) by the participants who had undergone
PCT, was significantly lower (41.3%) in comparison to
the baseline score (M = 2.131, SD = .799). Additionally,
significant differences between the intervention group and
the control group were found in the post-intervention and follow-up. Estimates were statistically significant at .05
level.
Conclusions: Results suggest that PCT is beneficial for
improving SE. Clinical practice and program development
in therapeutic settings may benefit from including PCT as
an important component for promoting SE in older adults
and for aging well.
Description
Keywords
Person-centered therapy Control group Follow-up Older adults Self-esteem
Citation
Studies in Sociology of Science, 3, 1-10