Effects of a Story-Sharing Intervention on Depression and Well-Being in Older Adults Transitioning to Long-Term Care

The purpose of this randomized control trial (RCT) was to investigate the effects
of a story-sharing intervention on older adults transitioning to long-term care (LTC). The
specific aims were (1) to determine the effects of story sharing on the health transition
outcomes of depression and well-being of adults transitioning to LTC; and (2) to
determine if the sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status,
level of education (LOE), months living at LTC facility, choice to move, and health
problem(s) that may have resulted in the move) predict depression and/or well-being.
Story sharing was defined as the respectful space where one tells and listens to stories of
others (Heliker, 2009) while being guided by another (the investigator). Meleis’ middlerange
theory of transitions (MMRTT) (Meleis et al., 2000) was used as a guide to
understand the transitioning process. A convenience sampling design was used to recruit
100 participants from 11 LTC facilities in Broward County, located in Southeast Florida. The sample included adults, age 65 years and older, who were transitioning to a
LTC facility within the past two years. Participants were randomly assigned to the control
group (n = 52), who received standard care, or to the intervention group (n = 41), who
received story-sharing and standard care.
The results indicated there was no significant greater improvement to suggest an
Intervention and Time effect for depression and/or well-being. Overall, predictive ability
of the sociodemographic variables for depression and well-being were not statistically
significant. However, LOE (junior college) did account for a significant portion of unique
variance for increased depression, and time, marital status, ethnicity, LOE, and choice to
move did account for a significant proportion of unique variance for well-being. Months
living in LTC (more months) and marital status (all but divorced) were significant for
improved well-being while ethnicity (Hispanic), LOE (high school and junior college),
and choice to move (no choice) were significant for reduced well-being. Similar studies
using a larger sample size, including non-English speaking participants; lengthier storysharing
sessions; and measuring for pain, health, and bereavement may offer additional
insights to healthy transition outcomes for this population.