Emotion-Focused Therapy for Resolving Emotional Injuries in Older Adults: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2025-04-09 DOI:10.1002/capr.70014

Bernardo Almeida, Sara Silva, Carla Cunha

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Abstract

Background

Recent years have seen significant growth in the psychological study of forgiveness in aging, with evidence indicating that forgiveness has the potential to facilitate a more positive aging process. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) has emerged as a therapeutic approach with positive outcomes in treating various psychological issues, such as the resolution of emotional injuries. Yet, up until now, there are no preestablished EFT intervention protocols specifically designed to address the resolution of emotional injuries in older adults (above 65 years old).

Aims and Method

This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of an EFT protocol for resolving emotional injuries reported by an older adult. To conduct this evaluation, we employed the interpretive approach of the Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected at different times during the therapy and at two follow-up points.

Results

From the beginning of therapy to the second follow-up, the client's level of forgiveness and letting go improved. The quality of life score improved, and the depression score decreased.

Conclusions

The results corroborated significant changes regarding the resolution of client's emotional injuries throughout the psychotherapy sessions. This pioneering case study on EFT, aging, and forgiveness is discussed concerning its potential contributions for future research.

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以情绪为中心的治疗解决老年人的情绪伤害：一项解释性的单例疗效设计研究

近年来，宽恕与衰老的心理学研究有了显著的增长，有证据表明宽恕有可能促进更积极的衰老过程。情绪聚焦疗法（EFT）作为一种治疗方法，在治疗各种心理问题，如情绪伤害的解决方面取得了积极的成果。然而，到目前为止，还没有预先建立的EFT干预方案，专门设计用于解决老年人（65岁以上）的情绪伤害。目的和方法本研究旨在评估EFT方案解决老年人报告的情绪伤害的有效性。为了进行评估，我们采用了解释性单例疗效设计的解释方法。在治疗期间的不同时间和两个随访点收集定量和定性数据。结果从治疗开始到第二次随访，患者的宽恕和放手水平有所提高。生活质量评分提高，抑郁评分降低。结论在心理治疗过程中，来访者情绪伤害的解决发生了显著的变化。这一开创性的EFT、衰老和宽恕的案例研究讨论了其对未来研究的潜在贡献。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.