Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1991

Publication Title

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

Volume

16

Issue

1/2

First Page

137

Keywords

Aged, Depression, Group work, Intervention, Meta-analysis, Review, Social work practice, Therapy

Last Page

157

Abstract

This review analyzes a total of 19 empirical studies dealing with the effectiveness of group work intervention with depressed older clients (65 years and older). Multiple analyses of all outcome data reported allowed for the following summative, empirically derived inferences: (1) overall, group work was found to account for 42% positive change in client affective states; however, most of this improvement (87%) appears to be attributable to nonspecific interventive variables, i.e., factors outside the control and intent of the group worker; (2) group work is optimally effective for clients who live alone and are moderately to severely depressed; (3) client age is no factor in group work effectiveness; and (4) the most effective format is constituted by small client groups and interventions of short duration.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J083v16n01_11

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