Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in dealing with the psychosocial problems of older adults living in old age homes. A quasi-experimental, (2x3) mixed factorial design was used to conduct the study. Measures including Urdu versions of Lubben social network scale -6 (Lubben et al., 2006), generalized self-efficacy scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995) and mental health continuum-short form (Keyes, 2009) were used to assess the variables in the study. Phase I of the study involved screening of participants for treatment groups, for which a sample of 44 older adults, both males (n=30) and females (n=14) aged between 60-90 years, were selected from private old age homes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The results of Pearson product moment correlation showed social isolation to be non-significantly correlated with self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being, while self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being were significantly and positively correlated. Phase II involved investigating the efficacy of SFBT for older adults living in old age homes. A sample of 18 older adults, both males (n=8) and females (n=10) who were screened in Phase I, were selected and divided into intervention (N=9, males; n=4 and females; n=5) and control (N=9, males; n=4 and females; n=5) groups. Results of two-way (2x3) mixed factorial ANOVA showed that after receiving SFBT, the scores on self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being (emotional well-being and psychological well-being) significantly improved for the intervention group, in post and follow-up assessments, as compared to the control group. However, the improvement in social well-being was non-significant. This study proves SFBT to be a suitable intervention in providing socially isolated older adults in old age homes with a sense of empowerment and well-being.
