Psychological Resilience Level after Cognitive-Behavior Therapy in Old People with Empty Nest Syndrome - A single-case Experimental Design

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) on resilience in old people with “empty nest syndrome.” Methods: Three older adults with empty nest syndrome underwent CBT for 8 weeks in a single-case experimental design. Changes in resilience were tracked through measurements at baseline, intervention, and follow-up. Visual analysis as well as an effect size index of Percentage of Nonoverlapping Data (PND) were then analyzed. Results: CBT resulted in a significant increase in psychological resilience for all three participants across the intervention phase. Follow-up data showed that all subjects were able to maintain their resiliency four weeks after the intervention. Conclusions: This single-case experimental study supports the hypothesis that CBT improves resiliency in old people with empty nest syndrome. Clinical Implications: Cognitive Behavior Therapy is effective in increasing resiliency in old people with empty nest syndrome. The culture dynamics is an important component in the emergence and persistence of empty nest syndrome. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.