THE EFFECTS OF GROUP COUNSELING BASED ON THE PERSON-CENTERED THEORY FOR ENHANCE HAPPINESS OF THE ELDERLY IN THE ELDERLY CLUB HEALTH PROMOTING HOSPITAL, OMYAI SUNBDISTRICT

Abstract

               Objective: 1) to compare the happiness of the elderly before and after receiving group counseling based on the person-centered theory, and 2) to compare the happiness of the elderly after receiving group counseling according to the person-centered theory and the regular care.

               Methods: The sample group consisted of 16 elderly people, selected according to the criteria. They were randomly assigned an experimental group of 8 people and a control group of 8 people. The experiment group received group counseling based on the person-centered theory and the control group received regular care. Research instruments consisted were: 1) The elderly happiness measure, The reliability of this instrument was reported by Cronbach’s Alpha as of 0.915, and 2) the group counseling program. It is IOC ranged from 0.66 - 1.00. The descriptive, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for data analysis.

               Results: The results of the study were 1) The happiness of the elderly who received group counseling base on the person-centered theory after the experiment was differences than before the experiment at the .01 level.  2) The happiness of the elderly in the experimental group and the control group after receiving counseling base on the person-centered theory were difference and statistically significant at the .001 level.

               Conclusion: Group counseling based on the person-centered theory to enhance happiness of the elderly.