A feasibility study of a home-based intervention for elderly depression among Hong Kong Chinese

Abstract

The Smiley Activation Programme (SAP) is a home-based intervention that is targeted to reduce depressive symptoms in elderly Hong Kong Chinese. The SAP includes eight social worker’s home visits and two volunteer visits over 19 weeks and a three-month follow-up, integrating problem-solving treatment and behavioural activation. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the SAP in reducing depressive symptoms for elderly depression in Hong Kong, by comparing the outcomes at pre-test, post-test and three-month follow-up. Two hundred and nineteen old adults aged 60 or above with depressive symptoms were recruited. Significant improvements in depression (t = 12.79, p < .01) and an effect size of 0.96 were reported. Other benefits include improvements in perceived general health, physical and social activeness and pleasant activity level. The low attrition rate and high participant satisfactory level supported the feasibility of the programme. Implications of social work research and practice are discussed. 抑郁是残疾的主要成因，长者抑郁与残疾、死亡率及不良的健康后果关系密切。“跃动晚情——长者抗抑郁地区计划”试图通过居家介入减低长者的抑郁症状。该计划包括八节社工探访及两节义工探访, 历时十九周, 另加三个月跟进。介入内容整合了问题解决治疗及行为激活法。本研究通过比较参加者在前测、后测及三个月跟进的成效变化，检讨计划的可行性及有效性。研究招募了219位60岁或以上出现抑郁症状的长者。结果显示抑郁指数有显著改善 (t=12.79, p<.01)，效益值 0.96 为高水平。其他获益包括自觉健康、身体及社交活跃程度、愉快活动水平。计划的低流失率及参加者高满意水平显示其可行性。文中并讨论了此计划对于社会工作研究及实务的启示。