Effect of group reminiscence therapy on depression in older adults attending a day centre in Shiraz, southern Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of group reminiscence therapy on depression symptoms among elderly people attending a day centre in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. A sample of 49 people aged 60+ years participated in 6 group reminiscence sessions that were held twice weekly for a 3-week period and completed a Farsi version of the 15-item geriatric depression scale. Mean depression scores decreased significantly from 8.18 (SD 1.20) before the intervention to 6.73 (SD 1.20) immediately after it and 7.55 (SD 1.19) 1 month after the intervention. When analysed by demographic characteristics only marital status showed a statistically significant difference in depression scores comparing before and after the intervention.