Psychologically Focused Group Intervention with the Elderly: a Qualitative Research

Conducting qualitative research is quite common in social sciences; however, this type of research is not very frequently used in Brazil to investigate the aging process despite the efforts of researchers in using methods such as focus groups, operational groups and psychotherapeutic workshops. The aim of this theoretical paper was to conceptualize and critically discuss the use of qualitative research in the production of scientific knowledge about the elderly. Based on the literature and on the authors' own reflections, this study discusses matters relevant to the previously mentioned qualitative methods, especially regarding the conduction of studies and interventions based on the clinical method. To support and deepen the knowledge on the use of the focus group technique in research with the elderly, a search for the scientific production on this theme was performed at SciELO, LILACS, PsycINFO databases. Eighteen articles were selected for discussion. To exemplify the use of psychological interventions with older adults in qualitative research, the theoretical framework, methods and overall results of a psychological intervention and therapeutic workshop are described. We conclude that qualitative studies add important knowledge about the elderly and the aging process, highlighting the benefit of interventions and the possibility of developing a more comprehensive knowledge on the subject through the use of qualitative methods.

Methodology; Psychotherapy; Gerontology; Aging