Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention for Older Adults

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial group intervention designed to promote active aging among older adults. The intervention combines existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and narrative therapy techniques to address psychosocial challenges commonly associated with later life, including social isolation, role loss, loneliness, ageism, grief, and existential concerns. The intervention was developed to strengthen participants' psychological resources, enhance meaning in life, support adaptive coping, and encourage active participation in daily and social life.

The intervention is based on the complementary strengths of existential and solution-focused approaches. The existential component encourages participants to acknowledge and accept aging-related experiences, including loss, physical limitations, and mortality, while exploring personal meaning and responsibility. The solution-focused component emphasizes personal strengths, future-oriented goals, successful past experiences, and practical solutions through techniques such as the miracle question, scaling questions, identifying exceptions, and recognizing existing resources. Narrative therapy techniques are integrated throughout the program to facilitate the reconstruction of personal life stories and reinforce identity continuity.

The study employs an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Participants aged 65 years and older attending a primary healthcare mental health unit are randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participates in a structured closed-group program consisting of ten weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, while the control group receives usual care during the study period. Quantitative and qualitative data are collected concurrently to evaluate both intervention outcomes and participants' experiences.

Quantitative outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up using validated measures of quality of life and active aging. Qualitative data obtained from group sessions and researcher field notes are analyzed to explore participants' experiences of the intervention, changes in perceptions of aging, psychosocial adaptation, and the meaning-making process. The mixed-methods design provides both effectiveness data and an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms through which the intervention may facilitate active aging.

Inclusion criteria

Aged 65 years or older. Registered at the mental health unit of the participating primary healthcare center.

Able to communicate effectively and participate in group sessions. Sufficient cognitive functioning to complete interviews and study assessments. Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Presence of severe psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation in the group intervention.

Presence of neurological disorders associated with significant cognitive impairment.

Severe physical health problems preventing attendance at group sessions. Inability or unwillingness to complete the intervention or study assessments.