中華心理衛生協會

Purpose: This study explored the effects of participation in a gestalt reminiscence group on the elderly's unfinished business and self-integrity. Methods: Sixteen participants over 65 years old and not housed in an institute participated in this quasi-experimental study from November 2013 to April 2014. The experimental group, eight participants, joined a gestalt reminiscence group for 8 weeks, 3 hours per session. The control group was referred to individual counseling after the follow-up test, as their wishes. Both groups completed the unfinished business resolution scale and the self-integrity scale before and after the experiment. A follow-up test was conducted 4 weeks later. The researchers also conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews after the group, lasting 30 to 60 minutes , with the experimental group to further explore their group experience. Results: The gestalt reminiscence group's pre-test scores on the unfinished business measure were significantly different both immediately after conclusion of the group sessions as well as 4 weeks later. Participants' self- integrity scores were also significantly different on the follow-up-test, although no immediate effect was found. The interviews showed that group participation was perceived as alleviating the sense of unfinished business in terms of touching emotions gradually, enhancing awareness, letting go of unfulfilled needs and feelings, and being in the here-and-now. The change in self-integrity was experienced in terms of 3 aspects: open attitude, defining self, and planning for the future. Conclusions: The gestalt reminiscence group is beneficial to the elderly. Its application to different groups of elderly people deserves further exploration.