Abstract
There is a projected increase in the older population worldwide by 2050. This creates disconcerting implications in Philippine society, where a trend of elderly persons living alone and with minimal resources to meet their health maintenance and treatment needs is observed. These important concerns relate to mental health and need to be addressed through research-based interventions that are effective and sustainable. The aim of the study was to assess, implement, and evaluate socially and culturally acceptable interventions for the mental health of older persons together with the participants residing in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Participatory action research was chosen as a method as it allows the exploration of the group's emic perspective about needs and activities that can enhance psychological wellness. A focus group discussion was conducted to gather data regarding the mental needs and preferred interventions of this older population group. The analysis and synthesis of the data was the basis for the design of interventions for their mental health. A second focus group interview was done to evaluate the impact and results of the interventions. The evaluation data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Findings revealed that the mental health of older persons is linked to meeting basic needs, maintaining health, and fulfilling family roles, which promote peace of mind, rest, and comfort. Suggested interventions were saving money, adopting healthy lifestyles, seeking government help, engaging in livelihood activities, praying, and avoiding vices and loans. Collaborations with various organizations facilitated urban gardening, health services education, and livelihood projects and devotions. Qualitative evaluation of the interventions revealed the following themes: self-empowering, strengthening mental health, and enhancing social support. In conclusion, mental health is linked to economic stability, neighborhood and environmental factors, social and community relationships, family support, and healthcare, among others—all of which comprise the social determinants of health (SDH). Mental health requires addressing SDH and applying a whole-society approach to ensure sustainability. The results of the study will serve as a basis for recommendations for sustainability and implementation in other similarly situated older population groups.
Notes
Reference list attached as separate document file.
Sigma Membership
Psi Beta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, Sustainable Development Goals, Global Health Issues, Ethics, Mental Health in Older Adults
Recommended Citation
Guino-o, Theresa Aragones; Luague, Zorinna Macahis; Junio, Uenavil Anne Empaces; and Abalos, Evalyn Elardo, "Capacity Building For Mental Health of Older Persons: A Participatory Action Research" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 166.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/166
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-04
Capacity Building For Mental Health of Older Persons: A Participatory Action Research
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
There is a projected increase in the older population worldwide by 2050. This creates disconcerting implications in Philippine society, where a trend of elderly persons living alone and with minimal resources to meet their health maintenance and treatment needs is observed. These important concerns relate to mental health and need to be addressed through research-based interventions that are effective and sustainable. The aim of the study was to assess, implement, and evaluate socially and culturally acceptable interventions for the mental health of older persons together with the participants residing in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Participatory action research was chosen as a method as it allows the exploration of the group's emic perspective about needs and activities that can enhance psychological wellness. A focus group discussion was conducted to gather data regarding the mental needs and preferred interventions of this older population group. The analysis and synthesis of the data was the basis for the design of interventions for their mental health. A second focus group interview was done to evaluate the impact and results of the interventions. The evaluation data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Findings revealed that the mental health of older persons is linked to meeting basic needs, maintaining health, and fulfilling family roles, which promote peace of mind, rest, and comfort. Suggested interventions were saving money, adopting healthy lifestyles, seeking government help, engaging in livelihood activities, praying, and avoiding vices and loans. Collaborations with various organizations facilitated urban gardening, health services education, and livelihood projects and devotions. Qualitative evaluation of the interventions revealed the following themes: self-empowering, strengthening mental health, and enhancing social support. In conclusion, mental health is linked to economic stability, neighborhood and environmental factors, social and community relationships, family support, and healthcare, among others—all of which comprise the social determinants of health (SDH). Mental health requires addressing SDH and applying a whole-society approach to ensure sustainability. The results of the study will serve as a basis for recommendations for sustainability and implementation in other similarly situated older population groups.
Description
Health is multifactorial, including older persons' mental health. It is linked to economic stability, neighborhood and environmental factors, social and community relationships, family support, and healthcare, among others—all of which comprise the social determinants of health. Mental health requires addressing SDH and applying a whole-society approach to ensure sustainability. Participatory action research was chosen as a method as it allows the exploration of the group's emic perspective.