ORIGINAL PAPER
The impact of an Activation-Socialisation Intervention Programme on the emotionality and loneliness of older adults in Slovak elderly care facilities: a pilot study
1
Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovak Republic
Submission date: 2025-03-17
Final revision date: 2025-07-23
Acceptance date: 2025-08-28
Online publication date: 2025-10-24
Publication date: 2025-10-24
Corresponding author
Health Psychology Report 2025;13(4):341-353
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
This study analysed changes in the experience of negative emotions and feelings of loneliness in older adults in elderly care facilities. Although the physiological needs of older adults are optimally met in these facilities, their psychosocial needs remain unmet. The study’s main objective was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of an original educational Activation-Socialisation Intervention Programme on positive and negative emotional states as well as feelings of loneliness.
Participants and procedure:
The programme included 40 activities divided into three concepts. The research sample consisted of 41 older adults from a specific facility in Slovakia (33 in the experimental group and 8 in the control group). The experimental group participated in the intervention for four weeks, while the control group did not participate in any activities. Data were collected at two time points: at baseline and immediately after the intervention. It included the Scale of Emotional Habitual Subjective Well-being (SEHP) supplemented with the loneliness variable. The Reflection Questionnaire was administered at the end of the intervention.
Results:
The results indicated a statistically significant effect of the programme on rates of experiencing negative emotional states, positive emotional states, and feelings of loneliness in the experimental group. The results of the control group support the effectiveness of the intervention.
Conclusions:
The intervention programme proved effective in influencing negative and positive emotions and loneliness in the short term. Participants evaluated the programme positively and noted improvements at the social-psychological, educational and cultural levels.
This study analysed changes in the experience of negative emotions and feelings of loneliness in older adults in elderly care facilities. Although the physiological needs of older adults are optimally met in these facilities, their psychosocial needs remain unmet. The study’s main objective was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of an original educational Activation-Socialisation Intervention Programme on positive and negative emotional states as well as feelings of loneliness.
Participants and procedure:
The programme included 40 activities divided into three concepts. The research sample consisted of 41 older adults from a specific facility in Slovakia (33 in the experimental group and 8 in the control group). The experimental group participated in the intervention for four weeks, while the control group did not participate in any activities. Data were collected at two time points: at baseline and immediately after the intervention. It included the Scale of Emotional Habitual Subjective Well-being (SEHP) supplemented with the loneliness variable. The Reflection Questionnaire was administered at the end of the intervention.
Results:
The results indicated a statistically significant effect of the programme on rates of experiencing negative emotional states, positive emotional states, and feelings of loneliness in the experimental group. The results of the control group support the effectiveness of the intervention.
Conclusions:
The intervention programme proved effective in influencing negative and positive emotions and loneliness in the short term. Participants evaluated the programme positively and noted improvements at the social-psychological, educational and cultural levels.
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