주민주도형 회상요법 프로그램이 농촌지역 노인의 외로움 및 정신건강 증진에 미치는 효과

The Effects of a Community-Led Reminiscence Therapy Program on Loneliness and Mental Health Among Older Adults in Rural Areas

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the field applicability and potential improvements of a community-led reminiscence therapy program. Methods: The program was administered for 10 weeks to 170 residents from 10 “Health Villages” in Gyeongsangbuk-do to assess changes in loneliness, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and social connectedness before and after participation. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 29.0 Statistics Program. Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in scores for negative variables—namely, loneliness, depression, and anxiety—following participation in the program. Conversely, scores for positive variables, such as social connectedness and quality of life, showed a significant increase. These results confirm that community-led reminiscence therapy is an effective intervention for promoting residents’ mental health and enhancing social connectedness. Conclusion: The community-led reminiscence therapy program has been confirmed as an effective intervention that enhances mental health and strengthens social bonds among residents of healthy villages within the community. Therefore, it should be expanded as a practical implementation model for community mental health policies targeting the elderly.