Self-affirmation training can relieve negative emotions by improving self-integrity among older adults

Negative emotions have been prevalent with older adults and negatively affect their physical and mental health. On the basis of self-affirmation theory, the present study explored a set of simple and effective time-saving early intervention programs for older adults whose negative emotions are in a normal and controllable range. We designed a three-week intervention program to boost self-integrity and relieve negative emotions in older adults. The self-affirmation intervention group (n = 88) and control group (n = 85) received three different experimental manipulations, respectively. Self-integrity, depression, anxiety, and loneliness were assessed before and after the intervention. Results showed that the self-affirmation intervention highly improved self-integrity and further relieved the negative emotions of older adults in the intervention group. Further mediation analyses indicated that self-integrity mediated the effect of self-affirmation intervention on negative emotions. These findings enrich the field of research on the relationship between self-integrity and negative emotions. They also have important practical implications for interventions aimed at mitigating negative emotions among older adults.