The effect of structured group reminiscence on happiness and life satisfaction among the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction:
Since happiness and life satisfaction can predict the mental health of the elderly, therapeutic interventions such as reminiscence can be useful for these people. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of structured group reminiscence on happiness and life satisfaction of elderly people.

Material and methods:
This was a clinical trial study. Among the elderly, 36 people were selected by systematic random sampling according to the inclusion criteria; using randomized blocks, the samples were divided into the intervention and control groups. Then they were divided into 2 groups of 18 people (18 in the intervention group and 18 in the control group). Reminiscence therapy was held in 8 sessions. Participants were asked to complete the Happiness, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, and a brief psychiatric examination and demographic characteristics in the pre-test phase, immediately after the intervention and one month after the intervention.

Results:
The two groups, intervention and control, were similar in terms of age, examination of mental status, gender, education level and marital status (p > 0.05). The results of comparing the mean of happiness and life satisfaction variables between the intervention and control groups in the pre-test phase, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention indicated a statistically significant difference.

Conclusions:
According to the findings of this study, structured group reminiscence is an effective intervention to improve happiness and life satisfaction in this age group. Therefore, it can be a cost-effective way to increase the vitality of the elderly without complications.