Strengthening resilience in over 50's: a nested clustered-randomized controlled trial of adaptive systematic self-reflection. Issue 6 (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crane, Monique F.; Kho, Madison; Kangas, Maria; Griffin, Barbara; Karin, Eyal; Earl, Joanne K.; Harris, Celia B.
• Is Part Of: Anxiety, stress, and coping. Volume 33:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 623
• Page End: 641
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: Mental health -- older adults -- reminiscing -- metacognition -- intervention; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Research -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- periodicals; Stress -- periodicals; Adaptation, Psychological -- periodicals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2020.1768375
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1061-5806

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background and objectives : This study investigated the efficacy of guided self-reflection to strengthen resilience in adults over 50 by exploring the effects of the training on mental health and positive emotional outcomes. Design : A nested clustered-randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the efficacy of the training. Measures occurred at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at four to five months follow-up. Method: Two samples of participants were recruited. First, older employees from a consumer goods company took part in the clustered-randomized controlled trial. Ninety-three employees (mean age = 54.02 years; 36.56% females) were assigned to the intervention ( n = 52) or active control ( n = 41) group. Second, older adults from the community ( n = 51) were recruited (mean age = 58.63 years; 80.40% female) and assigned to the intervention only. Results : Improvements were observed in the community sample, compared to the active control group, across a range of wellbeing outcomes. When training engagement was used as a moderator, positive benefits for the corporate intervention group emerged for highly engaged participants. Mediation analyses indicated that stress-as-enhancing mindset, stressor benefit, and coping self-efficacy acted as possible mechanisms for change in primary outcomes. Conclusions : Findings provide support for the use of guided self-reflection for resilience training with older adults.