Group intervention to reduce anxiety in older adults

Abstract

The post-pandemic effects of COVID-19 in older adults are reflected in psychological problems such as stress, depression, anxiety, among others. The research focuses on anxiety, because, based on the analyses carried out, it was determined that it is the problem that recurs most frequently in the group under study. The objective is to determine which intervention is appropriate to reduce anxiety levels in older adults and thus improve their quality of life. The methodology is quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive-comparative, cross-sectional design; the sample used was 109 people, who on average are 68 years old, and to whom two data collection instruments were applied, the Inventory of Trait-State Anxiety (IDARE) and a sociodemographic card. As results it could be evidenced that, in reference to anxiety as a state, 17.4% have medium anxiety and 11.9% have high anxiety; on the other hand, in anxiety as a trait, 8.3% have high anxiety and 21.91% have medium anxiety, which shows the need for preferential group intervention, since this is based on the importance for the elderly to feel and be part of a group, besides being independent, this reduces the levels of anxiety and improves the quality of life. It is concluded that psychological intervention aims to reduce post-pandemic effects, avoid the use of drugs, and take advantage of validated group techniques that improve self-confidence, self-esteem, and ensure an active and dignified aging.