Bibliotherapy-based Psychoeducation Program the Effect of Elderly Individuals on Depression and Hopelessness Levels

Bibliotherapy-based Psychoeducation Program the Effect of Elderly Individuals on Depression and Hopelessness Levels

Bibliotherapy has been mainly focused on the social and emotional problems of children and young people, and studies with the elderly are very few. Based on the suggestion of meeting the right book with the right individual, which is the basis of bibliotherapy, it is predicted that the bibliotherapy method can be useful in reducing depression and increasing hope in the elderly, with the selection of books that are suitable for the cognitive levels of the elderly.

Today, one of the most important social changes is the aging of the world population. The number and rate of elderly individuals is increasing in the populations of almost all countries in the world. During the aging process, increasing number and severity of health problems, decreasing functional abilities, loss of spouse and friends, financial constraints, retirement, loss of social status are the problems that elderly individuals can potentially encounter in life change. In the face of these problems, the elderly may feel worthless and experience negative feelings such as depression and hopelessness.

Nurses have important responsibilities in the health services provided to elderly individuals in the old age, when hopelessness and depression can be experienced intensely. Cognitive and mental status are considered in the evaluation of the elderly individual. In this sense, in the approach to the elderly person with depression, the nurse should make a comprehensive assessment of the signs and symptoms of depression that may be seen in the individual. The aim of nursing care includes taking a role in the prevention, recognition, treatment and care of depression. The more effective use of the independent roles of the nurse in nursing care increases the quality of the care provided. One of the methods to be applied in this sense is art therapy.

Art therapy is a supportive treatment method that enables individuals to express themselves, gain coping skills and increase their resilience by using art as a tool in the Nursing Intervention Classification. It helps them to develop their interpersonal skills, reduce stress, manage their behavior, increase their self-esteem, self-confidence and gain insight.Creating art and reflecting it on art products can increase individuals' self-confidence, enable them to cope with stress and other traumatic experiences, improve their cognitive skills and enjoy life.

Bibliotherapy, which can be expressed as a method of improving mental health through reading, includes the use of non-fiction self-help books, as well as the treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders through a literary work, poem or film. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that tales, stories and myths are effective tools in counseling and contribute to the healing of clients. This technique has been used successfully in the treatment of many problems in children, adolescents, adults and the elderly and its effectiveness has been proven. Bibliotherapy has been mainly focused on the social and emotional problems of children and young people, and studies with the elderly are very few. Based on the suggestion of meeting the right book with the right individual, which is the basis of bibliotherapy, it is predicted that the bibliotherapy method can be useful in reducing depression and increasing hope in the elderly, with the selection of books that are suitable for the cognitive levels of the elderly.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being 65 years or older
• A score between 5 and 11 on the Geriatric Depression scale (mild to moderate)
• Not having a perception disorder that will prevent communication
• Volunteering to participate in the research

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Having a communication barrier,

  • Having been diagnosed with dementia,
  • Being diagnosed with a severe psychiatric illness
  • Having a terminal illness

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not attending any session of the six-session training program and not attending the make-up session,
• Not participating in any of the Pretest, Posttest- and Follow-up tests.