Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if the use of a repressive-inspirational discussion group has significance in changing the level of self-esteem of institutionalized essentially normal elderly individuals.

A review of literature indicates the need for a group method that can help in developing and maintaining self-esteem in the elderly. Different studies reveal the need for self-esteem in the aged. The development of self-esteem is necessary so that elderly individuals can cope with situations in daily living and maintain physical and mental health.

An experimental method was utilized in conducting this study. A sample of twenty elderly individuals was selected from one privately owned retirement home in California's San Bernardino County. The twenty selected subjects were assigned on a random basis to either the experimental or the control group with ten members in each. The experimental subjects participated in a repressive-inspirational discussion group three times a week for four weeks but the control group went about their routine activities in the retirement home without planned group interaction. The group process provided opportunities in group participation and socialization for inspirational experiences but deep unconscious psychodynamic conflicts of the person were not explored.

A fifty-item Q-sort was developed and used as a measurement instrument for measuring the change in the level of self-esteem. The researcher administered the Q-sort before and after the four-week study period. Each participant was asked to complete the Q-sort in two steps. First the subject sorted the phrases according to characteristics of himself, next the phrases were sorted according to attributes ascribed to an ideal elderly person. The pre and post tests data were compared.

From the pre and post tests data, the mean, standard deviation, and mean difference of correlations were obtained by using the computer. The mean difference of correlations of .07953 with a standard deviation of .2882 for the experimental group was obtained and the control group had .02601 mean difference of correlations with a standard deviation of .1969. To determine the significant change in the level of self-esteem for the experimental and control groups, a one-tailed t-test of .4847 was found to be not statistically significant. The findings of this study supported the null hypothesis: There will not be any significant change in the level of self-esteem of the elderly individuals who participate in the repressive-inspirational discussion group as compared with those who do not participate, in a similar group method. Even though the results were not statistically significant, consistent observations indicated some changes in behavior and patterns of communication of the experimental subjects. The result of the Q-sort was the only information obtained for the control group.

Recommendations for further study were suggested as a result of this study.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Ina Y. Longway

Second Advisor

R. Richard Banks

Third Advisor

Nancy S. Testerman

Fourth Advisor

Astrid W. King

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1973

Date (Title Page)

6-1973

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Aged -- psychology

Type

Thesis

Page Count

x; 116

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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