The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Technique on Decreasing Depression in the Elderly at UPT Social Services for the Elderly Pasuruan, Lamongan

Abstract

Emotional disturbances in the elderly can lead to depression if not treated immediately. Depression in the elderly can be associated with low socioeconomic status, death of a spouse, accompanying physical illness, and social isolation. Benson's relaxation technique is a technique that focuses on deep breathing and can calm the mood so that it can control or reduce emotional disturbances. Benson relaxation techniques for the elderly can be done anywhere, do not cost much and do not cause side effects, so the Benson relaxation technique is an efficient alternative to exercise for the elderly. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Benson's relaxation technique on reducing depression in the elderly at the Pasuruan Elderly Social Service Unit in Lamongan. This study uses a one group pre-post test design with a time cohort approach involving 15 respondents who were taken by purposive sampling. Collecting data using a checklist. Data were analyzed using t test with a significant level of 0.05. Based on the results of the study, 7 (47%) respondents were not depressed, 8 (53%) respondents were still depressed. From the data, it was found that 10 (66.6%) respondents experienced a decrease in depression after being given Benson relaxation, and 2 (13.3%) respondents. experienced an increase in depression after being given Benson relaxation, and 3 (20%) respondents did not experience a decrease in depression after being given Benson relaxation. The results of the analysis with the t test showed p value = 0.002, which means that H0 was rejected, so that there was an effect of Benson's relaxation technique on reducing depression in the elderly at UPT Pasuruan elderly social services in Lamongan. Benson relaxation has been shown to be more effective in reducing depression in the elderly with depressive disorders. This can be used as a program to realize healthy elderly and make optimal use of elderly time with useful things.
Keywords: Benson relaxation technique; depression reduction