Pengaruh Terapi Kelompok Terapeutik dan Family Psychoeducation terhadap Pencegahan Gejala Depresi dan Loneliness pada Lanjut Usia

Old age represents the final developmental stage characterized by the achievement of integrity versus despair according to Erik Erikson's theory. Elderly who fail to achieve integrity often experience despair, which can lead to loneliness and depressive symptoms. This study aims to investigate the influence of Therapeutic Group Therapy (TKT) and Family Psychoeducation (FPE) on the prevention of depression and loneliness symptoms in the elderly. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group approach was utilized, involving two study groups. Using purposive sampling, 30 elderly participants were selected and divided into an intervention group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and loneliness levels were assessed with the UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3, with data analyzed via paired sample and independent t-tests. The results showed a mean reduction in depressive symptoms of 6.67 in the intervention group compared to 4.13 in the control group. The mean decrease in loneliness was 18.8 for the intervention group and 13.4 for the control group, with a p-value of 0.001 (p<0.05), indicating a significant difference between the two groups. The combination of Therapeutic Group Therapy and Family Psychoeducation proved more effective in reducing depression and loneliness in the elderly and is recommended as an alternative therapeutic option. These findings imply that integrating group-based and family-involved interventions is vital for improving psychological outcomes in geriatric care settings.