Life Enhancement Counseling and the Treatment of Depressed Cuban American Elders

Abstract

This article reports on a demonstration project designed to develop a psychosocial model of services for treating depressed Cuban American elders. Data were collected to identify client variables (age, sex, time in the United States, and education) and treatment variables (life enhancement counseling, medication, and number of sessions) that are differentially predictive of treatment effectiveness with depressed Hispanic elders. Data are reported on a sample of 100 elders. Treatment effectiveness was measured using a factorially derived composite criterion. Residualized gain scores and factor-analytic techniques were used to conduct an analysis of the outcome criteria structures and to create the outcome composite. Multiple-regression techniques were employed to identify client and treatment variables differentially predictive of treatment effectiveness. The results of these analyses indicated that treatment success was independent of client variables, while two treatment variables, extent of life enhancement counseling and medication, were significantly predictive of treatment outcome.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Auerswald, E. H. Families, change, and the ecological perspective . Family Process, 1971, 10, 263-280.

Ban, T. A. The treatment of depressed geriatric patients . American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1978, 32, 93-104.

Bazo, A. J. An ergot alkaloid preparation (Hydergine) versus Papaverine in treating common complaints of the aged: Double-blind study . Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 1973, 21, 63-63.

Beck, A. T. The development of depression: A cognitive model. In R. J. Friedman & M. M. Katz (Eds.), The psychology of depression: Contemporary theory and research. New York: Wiley, 1974.

Brislin, R. W. Back-translation for cross-cultural research . Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1970, 1, 185-216.

Butler, R. N. Re-awakening interests . Nursing Homes: Journal of American Nursing Home Association, 1961, 10, 8-19.

Butler, R. N. The life-review. An unrecognized bonanza . International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 1980-1981, 12(1), 35-380.

Cascio, W. , & Kurtines, W. A practical method for identifying significant change scores. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1977, 37, 889-896.

Fann, W. E. Pharmacotherapy in older depressed patients . Journal of Gerontol-ogy, 1976, 31, 304-304.

10.

Kramer, M. , Taube, C. , & Starr, S. Patterns of use of psychiatric facilities by the aged: Current status trends and implications. Psychiatric Research Reports, 1968, 23, 89-150.

11.

Kurtines, W. M. & Miranda, L. Difference in self and family role perception among acculturating Cuban American college students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 1980, 4, 167-184.

12.

Lewinsohn, P.M. A behavior approach to depression. In R. J. Friedman & M. M. Katz (Eds.), The psychology of depression: Contemporary theory and research. New York: Wiley, 1974.

13.

Luborsky, L. , Mintz, J. , & Christoph, P. Are psychotherapeutic changes predictable? Comparison of a Chicago counseling center project with a Penn psychotherapy project. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1979, 47, 469-473.

14.

Pfeiffer, E. OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, 1975.

15.

Prange, A. J. The use of antidepressant drugs in the elderly patient. In C. Eisdorfer & W. M. E. Fann (Eds.), Psychopharmacology and aging. New York: Plenum Press, 1973.

16.

Shaw, B. F. Comparison of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy in the treatment of depression . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1977, 45, 543-551.

17.

Spitzer, R. L. , Endicott, J. , Fleiss, J. L. , & Cohen, J. The psychiatric status schedule: A technique for evaluating psychopathology and impairment in role functioning. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1970, 23, 41-55.

18.

Szapocznik, J. , Santisteban, D. , Hervis, O. , Spencer, F. , & Kurtines, W. M. The treatment of depression among Cuban American elders: Some validational evidence for a life enhancement approach. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1981, 49, 752-755.

19.

Szapocznik, J. , Santisteban, D. , Kurtines, W. M. , Hervis, O. E. , & Spencer, F. Life enhancement counseling: A psychosocial model of services for Hispanic elders. In E. D. Jones & S. J. Korchin (Eds.), Minority mental health. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, in press.

20.

Szapocznik, J. , Scopetta, M. A. , Kurtines, W. , & Aranalde, A. Theory and measurement of acculturation. Interamerican Journal of Psychology, 1978, 12, 113-130.

21.

Waskow, I. E. , & Parloff, M. B. Psychotherapy change measures, report of the Clinic Research Branch (NIMH) Outcome Measures Project (DHEW Publication No. ADM 74-120. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1975.

22.

Weissman, M. , Fox, K. , & Klerman, G. Hostility and depression associated with suicide attempts. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1973, 130, 450-455.

23.

Yeaton, W. H. , & Secherest, L. Critical dimensions in choice and maintenance of successful treatments: Strength, integrity, and effectiveness. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1981, 49, 156-167.