Effects of Grandchildren’s Love Language Program on Depression among Thai Older Adults

Abstract

Depression in older adults has remained 1 of the major detrimental public health problems both worldwide and in Thailand. Among the myriad healing approaches, mental attachment on the basis of grandchildren’s love language is favorably perceived by Thai older adults with depression. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of grandchildren’s love language program on reducing depression among Thai older adults. Eighty Thai older adults with mild to moderate depression levels received the so-called “Love Language of Grandchildren Program” (n = 40) and usual care (n = 40). The Nine-Question Scale (9Q) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) were distributed at the pre- and post-treatment and at the 12 and 24-week of the follow-ups. The treatment effectiveness was evaluated by using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). The 9Q and HRSD scores revealed a significantly neutralized depression for those in love language of grandchildren program and, on the other hand, no decline was observed in the usual care’s participants. Love language of grandchildren program effectively reduced 9Q and HRSD symptoms of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical conditions respectively. It was also more effective than the usual care in reducing mild to moderate symptoms of depression (p < 0.05). The findings provide better understanding on how grandchildren approach to prevent depression for Thai older adults in a family and community, and can be used to guide further capacity development for grandchildren who provide helping to this group.