Quality of LifeQUALIFRAGNCT06381037
Quality of Life and Psychological Strengths of Older People
A study testing "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". in people with Quality of Life and Skills, Coping, run by CEU San Pablo University at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Older adults have psychological strengths that promote psychological well-being and reduce distress (depression or anxiety) and loneliness, enhancing their quality of life (QoL). These strengths can play a key role in a psychological intervention programme to promote QoL. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Quality of Life, Skills, Coping
- What is being tested?
- "How to improve your strengths and quality of life".
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 110 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2023to 31 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Be at least 60 years of age.
- Residing in Spain.
- Not having a diagnosed neurological disease or severe psychopathological disorder, or other ailment that is incompatible with the understanding of the questionnaires or the intervention program.
- Acceptance and signature of the informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Do not comply with the established age range.
- Present an ailment that makes them unable to respond to the questionnaire.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Spain1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
San Pablo CEU University (Campus Montepríncipe)
Alcorcón, Madrid, 28925
Leyre Galarraga Cristóbal, 913724700 ext. 14607, leyre.galarragacristobal@ceu.es
Gema Pérez Rojo, 913724700 ext. 14999, gema.perezrojo@ceu.es
About this study
Official title: Quality of Life and Psychological Strengths of Older People: Assessment and Intervention
Older adults have psychological strengths that promote psychological well-being and reduce distress (depression or anxiety) and loneliness, enhancing their quality of life (QoL). These strengths can play a key role in a psychological intervention programme to promote QoL.
Ageing and stress may increase the likelihood of illness in older people. When social policies and values, such as ageism and age-based discrimination, are added to this, older people are perceived as one of the most vulnerable groups in the population. The novelty of the study focuses on the paradigm shift regarding ageing, from the traditional model of decline associated with older people, in which ageing is associated with illness, functional decline and dependence, to a more positive view focused on personal strengths to cope with adversity, and how this relates to psychological well-being, emotional distress and QoL. The first and main reason for conducting this research is the scarcity of studies based on the model of strengths or gains in relation to ageing.
Read more
Therefore, the relevance of this study lies, on the one hand, in offering a change of perspective on old age, from a negative view (illness or vulnerability) to an approach based on strengths, and on the other hand, in gaining a deeper understanding of the strengths of older people, the associated factors and the role they play in cushioning adversity, such as in the COVID-19 pandemic. Most older people remain healthy, independent and enjoy high levels of well-being and QoL, with factors such as resilience cushioning the consequences of stress and ageing.
In this vein, it has been shown that age strengthens the ability to distance oneself from stressful situations and re-evaluate them positively, and older people report greater emotional well-being compared to younger adults. Furthermore, it is well known that having good social support seems to have long-term health benefits. Some recent studies related to the pandemic show that older people, despite being the most threatened by the situation, had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to younger people, contrary to expectations. Furthermore, coping strategies, such as resilience and social support, are mediating factors in the well-being of older people exposed to COVID-19.
Psychology, and psychogerontology in particular, is responsible for designing interventions aimed at increasing the likelihood of successful ageing. In fact, managing emotions is essential for people's health, well-being and QoL. In this sense, the emergence of positive psychology represents a change in therapeutic and rehabilitation processes. This psychological trend leaves behind a model based mainly on negative aspects and loss, in order to enhance human qualities that can act as buffers against adversity. In this way, a shift in focus is established, suggesting that in addition to trying to alleviate pathological aspects, it is equally important to find people's qualities or virtues in order to achieve greater QoL.
COVID-19 has led to older people being portrayed as a homogeneous group, even though increased life expectancy means that this is the longest stage of life, with studies reflecting the great diversity of older people. They are repeatedly portrayed as vulnerable, with messages that convey paternalism ('our elders') and overprotection, despite scientific literature indicating that this can have serious consequences. Throughout their lives, older people have had to face adversity, which they have been able to overcome or accept thanks to psychological strengths such as resilience, acceptance and gratitude, among others.
Read the detailed description
The intervention program "How to improve your strengths and quality of life" consists of 9 individual sessions. The sessions take place weekly, so the total duration of the program is 9 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. The sessions will be held both in person and online.
Following the principles of the psychoeducational therapy and Positive Psychology, this program is focused on the enhancement of personal strengths and quality of life of the elderly. Specifically, during the sessions, the following topics will be worked on: resilience, gratitude, acceptance, family functioning and quality of life in its different dimensions (control, autonomy, pleasure and self-fulfillment).
The sessions are as follows:
- Session 0. Presentation of the programme.
- Session 1. Introduction to quality of life and personal strengths.
- Session 2. Self-realisation.
- Session 3. Pleasure and gratitude.
- Session 4. Autonomy and control.
- Session 5. Family functioning and assertive communication.
- Session 6. Resilience.
- Session 7. Experiential acceptance.
- Session 8. Closing and farewell.
- Conditions
- Quality of Life, Skills, Coping
- Being tested
- "How to improve your strengths and quality of life".
- Keywords
- Elderly, Quality of life, Strengths
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
"How to improve your strengths and quality of life".Behavioural
The intervention program "How to improve your strengths and quality of life" consists of 9 individual sessions. The sessions take place weekly, so the total duration of the program is 9 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. The sessions will be held both in person and online.
The sessions are as follows:
- Session 0. Presentation of the programme
- Session 1. Introduction to quality of life and personal strengths
- Session 2. Self-realisation
- Session 3. Pleasure and gratitude
- Session 4. Autonomy and control
- Session 5. Family functioning and assertive communication
- Session 6. Resilience
- Session 7. Experiential acceptance
- Session 8. Closing and farewell
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental group | Experimental | The experimental group is given the workshop "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". Receives: Behavioral: "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". |
| Control group | No intervention | The control group is not given the workshop "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Quality of life
Quality of life will be evaluated with Quality of Life Questionnaire for the Elderly (CASP-12)
Scale values: 1 (sometimes), 2, 3, 4 (never).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the quality of life of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Psychological wellbeing
Psychological wellbeing will be evaluated with Ryff's Psychological Wellbeing Scale.
Scale values: 1 (very inadequate to describe me), 2 (quite inadequate to describe me), 3 (some inadequate to describe me), 4 (some adequate to describe me), 5 (quite adequate to describe me), 6 (very adequate to describe me).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the psychological wellbeing of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Loneliness
Loneliness will be evaluated with Three-Item Loneliness Scale.
Scale values: 1 (hardly ever, 2 (some of the time), 3 (often).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the loneliness of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Anxiety and depression Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression will be evaluated with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Scale values: values 2-4. The meaning of the values are different for each item.
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the anxiety and depression of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Gratitude
Gratitude will be evaluated with the short form of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS).
Scale values: 1 (very different from me), 2 (somewhat different from me), 3 (neutral), 4 (somewhat similar to me), 5 (very similar to me).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the gratitude of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Experiential acceptance
Experiential acceptance will be evaluated with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II.
Scale values: 1 (never true), 2 (very seldom true), 3 (seldom true), 4 (sometimes true), 5 (frequently true), 6 (almost always true), 7 (always true).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the experiential acceptance of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Resilience
Resilience will be evaluated with the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS).
Scale values: 1 (it does not reflect a typical reaction in my), 2, 3, 4, 5 (it does reflect a typical reaction in my).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the resilience of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Family functioning
Family functioning will be evaluated with the APGAR familiar.
Scale values:0 (never), 1 (rarely), 2 (sometimes), 3 (almost always), 4 (always).
Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the family functioning of the person being assessed.
Measured: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Apr 2024
- Study start1 Sep 2023
- Primary completion31 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Quality of LifeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Quantitative, observational and longitudinal study with three measurements (pre-intervention, post-intervention and monitoring).
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 110 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- CEU San Pablo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06381037
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PID2021-127986OB-I00
- Acronym
- QUALIFRAG
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 11 Dec 2023
- Last updated
- 21 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Quality of Life and Psychological Strengths of Older People: Assessment and Intervention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06381037
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- QUALIFRAG / PID2021-127986OB-I00
- Conditions
- Quality of Life, Skills, Coping
- Keywords
- Elderly, Quality of life, Strengths
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 110 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- CEU San Pablo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Older adults have psychological strengths that promote psychological well-being and reduce distress (depression or anxiety) and loneliness, enhancing their quality of life (QoL). These strengths can play a key role in a psychological intervention programme to promote QoL.
Ageing and stress may increase the likelihood of illness in older people. When social policies and values, such as ageism and age-based discrimination, are added to this, older people are perceived as one of the most vulnerable groups in the population. The novelty of the study focuses on the paradigm shift regarding ageing, from the traditional model of decline associated with older people, in which ageing is associated with illness, functional decline and dependence, to a more positive view focused on personal strengths to cope with adversity, and how this relates to psychological well-being, emotional distress and QoL. The first and main reason for conducting this research is the scarcity of studies based on the model of strengths or gains in relation to ageing.
Therefore, the relevance of this study lies, on the one hand, in offering a change of perspective on old age, from a negative view (illness or vulnerability) to an approach based on strengths, and on the other hand, in gaining a deeper understanding of the strengths of older people, the associated factors and the role they play in cushioning adversity, such as in the COVID-19 pandemic. Most older people remain healthy, independent and enjoy high levels of well-being and QoL, with factors such as resilience cushioning the consequences of stress and ageing.
In this vein, it has been shown that age strengthens the ability to distance oneself from stressful situations and re-evaluate them positively, and older people report greater emotional well-being compared to younger adults. Furthermore, it is well known that having good social support seems to have long-term health benefits. Some recent studies related to the pandemic show that older people, despite being the most threatened by the situation, had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to younger people, contrary to expectations. Furthermore, coping strategies, such as resilience and social support, are mediating factors in the well-being of older people exposed to COVID-19.
Psychology, and psychogerontology in particular, is responsible for designing interventions aimed at increasing the likelihood of successful ageing. In fact, managing emotions is essential for people's health, well-being and QoL. In this sense, the emergence of positive psychology represents a change in therapeutic and rehabilitation processes. This psychological trend leaves behind a model based mainly on negative aspects and loss, in order to enhance human qualities that can act as buffers against adversity. In this way, a shift in focus is established, suggesting that in addition to trying to alleviate pathological aspects, it is equally important to find people's qualities or virtues in order to achieve greater QoL.
COVID-19 has led to older people being portrayed as a homogeneous group, even though increased life expectancy means that this is the longest stage of life, with studies reflecting the great diversity of older people. They are repeatedly portrayed as vulnerable, with messages that convey paternalism ('our elders') and overprotection, despite scientific literature indicating that this can have serious consequences. Throughout their lives, older people have had to face adversity, which they have been able to overcome or accept thanks to psychological strengths such as resilience, acceptance and gratitude, among others.
Detailed description
The intervention program "How to improve your strengths and quality of life" consists of 9 individual sessions. The sessions take place weekly, so the total duration of the program is 9 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. The sessions will be held both in person and online.
Following the principles of the psychoeducational therapy and Positive Psychology, this program is focused on the enhancement of personal strengths and quality of life of the elderly. Specifically, during the sessions, the following topics will be worked on: resilience, gratitude, acceptance, family functioning and quality of life in its different dimensions (control, autonomy, pleasure and self-fulfillment).
The sessions are as follows:
- Session 0. Presentation of the programme.
- Session 1. Introduction to quality of life and personal strengths.
- Session 2. Self-realisation.
- Session 3. Pleasure and gratitude.
- Session 4. Autonomy and control.
- Session 5. Family functioning and assertive communication.
- Session 6. Resilience.
- Session 7. Experiential acceptance.
- Session 8. Closing and farewell.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Quantitative, observational and longitudinal study with three measurements (pre-intervention, post-intervention and monitoring).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental group | Experimental | Behavioral: "How to improve your strengths and quality of life".The experimental group is given the workshop "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". |
| Control group | No intervention | –The control group is not given the workshop "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Be at least 60 years of age.
- Residing in Spain.
- Not having a diagnosed neurological disease or severe psychopathological disorder, or other ailment that is incompatible with the understanding of the questionnaires or the intervention program.
- Acceptance and signature of the informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Do not comply with the established age range.
- Present an ailment that makes them unable to respond to the questionnaire.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| "How to improve your strengths and quality of life".The intervention program "How to improve your strengths and quality of life" consists of 9 individual sessions. The sessions take place weekly, so the total duration of the program is 9 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. The sessions will be held both in person and online. The sessions are as follows: * Session 0. Presentation of the programme * Session 1. Introduction to quality of life and personal strengths * Session 2. Self-realisation * Session 3. Pleasure and gratitude * Session 4. Autonomy and control * Session 5. Family functioning and assertive communication * Session 6. Resilience * Session 7. Experiential acceptance * Session 8. Closing and farewell | Behavioural | Experimental group |
Primary outcome
Quality of life
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Quality of life will be evaluated with Quality of Life Questionnaire for the Elderly (CASP-12) Scale values: 1 (sometimes), 2, 3, 4 (never). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the quality of life of the person being assessed.
Psychological wellbeing
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Psychological wellbeing will be evaluated with Ryff's Psychological Wellbeing Scale. Scale values: 1 (very inadequate to describe me), 2 (quite inadequate to describe me), 3 (some inadequate to describe me), 4 (some adequate to describe me), 5 (quite adequate to describe me), 6 (very adequate to describe me). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the psychological wellbeing of the person being assessed.
Loneliness
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Loneliness will be evaluated with Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Scale values: 1 (hardly ever, 2 (some of the time), 3 (often). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the loneliness of the person being assessed.
Anxiety and depression Anxiety and depression
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Anxiety and depression will be evaluated with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Scale values: values 2-4. The meaning of the values are different for each item. Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the anxiety and depression of the person being assessed.
Gratitude
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Gratitude will be evaluated with the short form of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS). Scale values: 1 (very different from me), 2 (somewhat different from me), 3 (neutral), 4 (somewhat similar to me), 5 (very similar to me). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the gratitude of the person being assessed.
Experiential acceptance
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Experiential acceptance will be evaluated with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II. Scale values: 1 (never true), 2 (very seldom true), 3 (seldom true), 4 (sometimes true), 5 (frequently true), 6 (almost always true), 7 (always true). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the experiential acceptance of the person being assessed.
Resilience
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Resilience will be evaluated with the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). Scale values: 1 (it does not reflect a typical reaction in my), 2, 3, 4, 5 (it does reflect a typical reaction in my). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the resilience of the person being assessed.
Family functioning
Time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.
Family functioning will be evaluated with the APGAR familiar. Scale values:0 (never), 1 (rarely), 2 (sometimes), 3 (almost always), 4 (always). Interpretation: the higher the score, the greater the family functioning of the person being assessed.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Nov 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
San Pablo CEU University (Campus Montepríncipe)
Alcorcón, Spain
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing "How to improve your strengths and quality of life". in people with Quality of Life and Skills, Coping, run by CEU San Pablo University at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Quality of life (time frame: Through study completion, and average of 4 years.). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Nov 2025.