Abstract
The study aims to explore the effect of positive psychological intervention (fun activities combined with positive mental health education) on the well-being, 2-week illness prevalence, and salivary immunoglobulin A of empty nesters. Ninety-two empty nesters were divided into intervention (n = 49) and control (n = 43) groups. The empty nesters in the intervention group performed the intervention in addition to routine community activities. The intervention group scored significantly higher on well-being (p< .05) compared with the control group after intervention. A week after intervention, salivary immunoglobulin A of the intervention group (p< .05) was higher than that before intervention. Meanwhile, the difference in salivary immunoglobulin A in the control group before and after intervention was not statistically significant. 2-week illness prevalence in both groups did not exhibit a significant difference (p> .05). Results indicate that positive psychological intervention can effectively increase the well-being and salivary immunoglobulin A of empty nesters and improve their physical and mental health.
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