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Research article
First published online May 15, 2009

The Effects of Integrative Reminiscence on Depressive Symptoms in Older African Americans

Juliette M. Shellman, Melissa Mokel, and Nnewka HewittView all authors and affiliations
Volume 31, Issue 6
https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945909335863

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of integrative reminiscence on depressive symptoms in older African Americans. Fifty-six community-dwelling participants from a northeast urban setting were randomized into a reminiscence intervention group (n = 19), attention control group (health education; n = 19), or true control group (n = 18). Data were collected pre- and posttest using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Significant differences were found between groups, F(2, 52) = 8.6, p = .001, η2 = .10. Using Holm’s method of post hoc analysis, the mean score for the reminiscence group was 6.8 (SD = 4.7), significantly different from the control group 14.6 (SD = 10.1) and the health education group 11.7 (SD = 7.1). Findings demonstrate that integrative reminiscence has a positive effect on decreasing depressive symptoms in older African Americans.

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Published In

Volume 31, Issue 6
Pages: 772 - 786
Article first published online: May 15, 2009
Issue published: October 2009

Keywords

  1. reminiscence intervention
  2. depressive symptoms
  3. older African Americans

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PubMed: 19448051

Authors

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Juliette M. Shellman
Yale University, [email protected]
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Melissa Mokel
University of Connecticut
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Nnewka Hewitt
University of Connecticut
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