The Application of Gratitude Group Program to Increase Quality of Life Among Indonesian Elderly in Residential Home X Jakarta

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of gratitude group program on enhancing the quality of life of the elderly living in residential home. Living in residential home can make the elderly feel alianated and limited in doing activities related to their family members or friends. What they feel and perceive can affect their quality of life. According to WHO (1996), quality of life is the individual's perception of their position in life according to the cultural context and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. One of the techniques to enhance the quality of life is to be grateful. Grateful experiences and expressions can help individuals build personal and interpersonal resources to deal effectively with stress and difficulties. Total subject in this study were 12 people. The research method used was quasi-experimental with randomized matched two-group design. The sampling technique used nonprobability sampling, purposive sampling. Data was analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-Rank Test with SPSS 16.00 for Windows. The results showed that score of the elderly quality of life increase significantly in experimental group with gratitude group program (Z = -2.226, p = 0.026 < 0.05) than in control group without any treatment (Z = -0.946 p = 0.344 > 0.05).