More ... – Well-being und social support among elderly people with cognitive handicaps who are living in private households. A follow-up to the Kaeferberg visitor study

Universität Zürich > Philosophische Fakultät > Psychologisches Institut > Sozialpsychologie > Prof. Dr. Heinz Gutscher
Schelling

Completed Research Project

Title / Titel: More ... – Well-being und social support among elderly people with cognitive handicaps who are living in private households. A follow-up to the Kaeferberg visitor study

Original title / Originaltitel: More ... – Wohlbefinden und soziale Unterstützung bei kognitiv beeinträchtigten, zu Hause lebenden älteren Menschen. Ein Folgeprojekt zur Käferberg-Besucherstudie

Summary / Zusammenfassung: The Kaeferberg visitor study (Albrecht & Oppikofer, 2000; Oppikofer, Albrecht, Schelling & Wettstein, 2002) has shown that regular visits of voluntary helpers have a significant positive effect on the well-being of demented institutionalized aged persons. The present study replicates that study for demented elderly persons living in private households.
A field experiment with 40 slightly to seriously demented persons was carried out to assess the effect of increased social support upon their well-being. The volunteers were trained to deal with the demented. The test subjects were randomly assigned to one of two test groups. In a first period, the first group was visited regularly for one hour weekly during ten weeks, whereas the second group served as a control group. In the second period, the former control group became an experimental group as well, and was visited during ten weeks.
The visits had significant positive impacts regarding 'qualitiy of life' and perceived frequency of social contacts, but there were only strong tendencies (statistically marginally not significant) regarding other measures as general, psychological, social and physical well-being. The sample size did not provide sufficient statistical power.
In a complementary study by Oppikofer and Albrecht, the voluntary visitors, active and retired employees of different service companies, were investigated for positive effects on their social competence.
Weitere Informationen

Publications / Publikationen

Albrecht, Kerstin & Oppikofer, Sandra. (2000). Die Käferberg-Besucher-Studie. Wohlbefinden und soziale Unterstützung bei dementen Heimbewohnern und Heimbewohnerinnen. Unveröffentlichte Lizentiatsarbeit, Universität Zürich, Psychologisches Institut.

Oppikofer, S., Albrecht, K., Schelling, H. R. & Wettstein, A. (2002). Die Auswirkungen sozialer Unterstützung auf das Wohlbefinden dementer Heimbewohnerinnen und Heimbewohner - die Käferberg-Besucherstudie. Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 35, 39-48.

Affolter, Y., Schmid, R. & Zbinden, M. (2002). Das Projekt more... Wohlbefinden und soziale Unterstützung bei kognitiv beeinträchtigten, zu Hause lebenden älteren Menschen. Ein Folgeprojekt zur Käferberg-Besucherstudie. Unveröffentlichte Lizentiatsarbeit, Universität Zürich, Psychologisches Institut.

Keywords / Suchbegriffe: Wohlbefinden, Lebensqualität, Lebenszufriedenheit, Demenz, soziale Unterstützung, Alter, Gesundheit, Freiwilligenarbeit, Vorhersagbarkeit, well-being, quality of life, life satisfaction, dementia, social support, aging, health, voluntary work, predictability

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

lic. phil. H. R. Schelling (Project Leader)	h.r.schelling@sozpsy.uzh.ch
cand. phil. Y. Affolter
cand. phil. R. Schmid
cand. phil. M. Zbinden

Funding Source(s) / Unterstützt durch: Universität Zürich (position pursuing an academic career), Other Public Sources (e.g. Federal or Cantonal Agencies), Foundation, Private Sector (e.g. Industry)
UBS Stiftung für Soziales und Ausbildung, Zürich
Stadtärztlicher Dienst Zürich

Duration of Project / Projektdauer: Jan 2001 to Dec 2002