Learned Helplessness among the Institutionalized Elderly: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the instruments and procedures before conducting a study on a larger scale and to test specific hypotheses: (1) The level of helplessness, as evidenced by categories on Chang's test for perceived Situational Control of Daily Activities (SCDA) will remain unchanged or decrease for elderly subjects experiencing low control and predictability in their institutional environment. (2) The level of helplessness, as evidenced by categories on the SCDA will increase for elderly subjects experiencing high control and predictability in their institutional environment. Participants were 44 institutionalized patients aged 65 and older, residing in a proprietary institution for the elderly. The subjects were randomly assigned to treatment groups. Analysis of the overall scores showed no significant change in the pre-and posttreatment measures. Analysis of the “self” score from the SCDA revealed a significant change in the direction of “self” in the high control and predictability group. The researchers suggest approaches for reducing helplessness among the institutionalized elderly.