The Smiley Activation Programme (SAP) is a home-based intervention that is targeted to reduce depressive symptoms in elderly Hong Kong Chinese. The SAP includes eight social worker’s home visits and two volunteer visits over 19 weeks and a three-month follow-up, integrating problem-solving treatment and behavioural activation. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the SAP in reducing depressive symptoms for elderly depression in Hong Kong, by comparing the outcomes at pre-test, post-test and three-month follow-up. Two hundred and nineteen old adults aged 60 or above with depressive symptoms were recruited. Significant improvements in depression (t = 12.79, p < .01) and an effect size of 0.96 were reported. Other benefits include improvements in perceived general health, physical and social activeness and pleasant activity level. The low attrition rate and high participant satisfactory level supported the feasibility of the programme. Implications of social work research and practice are discussed.

抑郁是殘疾的主要成因，長者抑郁與殘疾、死亡率及不良的健康後果關系密切。“躍動晚情——長者抗抑郁地區計劃”試圖通過居家介入減低長者的抑郁症狀。該計劃包括八節社工探訪及兩節義工探訪, 歷時十九周, 另加三個月跟進。介入內容整合了問題解決治療及行為激活法。本研究通過比較參加者在前測、後測及三個月跟進的成效變化, 檢討計劃的可行性及有效性。研究招募了219位60歲或以上出現抑郁症狀的長者。結果顯示抑郁指數有顯著改善 (t=12.79, p<.01), 效益值 0.96 為高水平。其他獲益包括自覺健康、身體及社交活躍程度、愉快活動水平。計劃的低流失率及參加者高滿意水平顯示其可行性。文中並討論了此計劃對於社會工作研究及實務的啟示。

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