Effects of an Intervention Promoting Proactive Coping Competencies in Middle and Late Adulthood

Autor/inn/en	Bode, Christina; de Ridder, Denise T. D.; Kuijer, Roeline G.; Bensing, Jozien M.
Titel	Effects of an Intervention Promoting Proactive Coping Competencies in Middle and Late Adulthood
Quelle	In: Gerontologist, 47 (2007) 1, S.42-51 (10 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0016-9013
Schlagwörter	Program Effectiveness; Older Adults; Psychological Characteristics; Intervention; Experimental Groups; Self Efficacy; Effect Size; Coping; Control Groups; Questionnaires; Well Being; Psychological Patterns; Matched Groups; Workshops; Psychoeducational Methods; Goal Orientation; Competence + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Älterer Erwachsener; Self-efficacy; Selbstwirksamkeit; Bewältigung; Fragebogen; Well-being; Wellness; Wohlbefinden; Lernwerkstatt; Schulung; Zielorientierung; Zielvorstellung; Kompetenz
Abstract	Purpose: We tested the effectiveness of a brief educational program that is based on proactive coping theory. The program entails a four-session group intervention for people aged between 50 and 75 years and was intended to improve proactive coping competencies. Furthermore, we investigated the positive as well as negative side effects and differential effectiveness of the program. Design and Methods: A total of 158 middle aged and older men and women participated in the study. In a prospective randomized control trial with an experimental group and a waiting control group, we collected questionnaire data at three points (baseline, after completion of the program, and 3 months postintervention). Results: The program improved proactive coping competencies significantly. Three months after completion of the intervention, these results remained stable. Nearly all effect sizes in the experimental group were medium or higher. The program did not have negative side effects in terms of worrying or negative mood, and it did not change levels of self-efficacy. Demographic characteristics of participants did not predict changes in proactive competencies. Differential effectiveness could only be shown for a few psychological characteristics: Lower levels of well-being, higher levels of proactive orientation, and lower levels in the consideration of future consequences of one's own behavior predicted an increase in proactive coping competencies. Participants who formulated personal goals in concrete terms also profited more from the intervention. Implications: Conceptualizing proactive coping as a set of competencies allows the translation of this approach into interventions. Competencies that facilitate future-oriented self-regulation can be improved by a brief educational program in middle and late adulthood. (Author).
Anmerkungen	Gerontological Society of America. 1030 15th Street NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-842-1275; Fax: 202-842-1150; e-mail: geron@geron.org; Web site: http://www.geron.org/journals/gsapub.htm
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10