The effect of magic as a therapeutic recreation intervention on the self-esteem and depression of older adults in long-term care facilities

Abstract

Depression and low self-esteem are issues that confront many adults as they age. These concerns are particularly prominent in older adults who move into long-term care facilities, such as assisted living centers or nursing homes. With the increasing number of older adults, it is important to design interventions that can help decrease depression and increase self-esteem levels in this population. This quantitative study used the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to explore the potential benefits of a four-week, eight-session magic as a therapeutic recreation intervention (magic) program on the self-esteem and depression levels of older adults. Also, the relationship between levels of depression and self-esteem was explored. Though results were not statistically significant, there were improvements in some individuals' depression and self-esteem, showing potential for a magic program to improve depression and self-esteem levels in older adults. Furthermore, a relationship was shown between self-esteem and depression, specifically with high levels of self-esteem correlating with low levels of depression. This result provides supportive evidence that interventions with the potential to improve self-esteem, like magic, could be helpful in decreasing depression. Limitations of this study as well as directions for further research are discussed.

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