Kayser-Jones (1981) described infantilization as one of the four most frequent types of violence in nursing homes. Older people perceive infantilization as disrespectful and patronizing. In professionals, it can lead to protective behaviors that reduce autonomy and generate more dependency. Despite the importance of this phenomenon, the interventions are scarce and show methodological limitations.

This study analyzed the efficacy of a psychoeducation program for the prevention of infantilization in professionals working in nursing homes. The sample included 154 direct-care workers. The experimental group (N=111) attended a psychoeducational group intervention program while the control group (N=43) did not attend any intervention program. We assessed the infantilized practices the professionals recognized they conducted and the ones observed in the institution before and after the intervention. The intervention lasted 6 hours and included four sessions distributed in two days. These sessions aimed to reduce negative stereotypes, preventing infantilized communication patterns and the use of behaviors or practices that are frequently used with children. We also offered professionals alternative practices that recognize autonomy, decision-making and respect older adults´ dignity and uniqueness. To analyze data, we conducted Repeated measures of ANOVA and one-way ANCOVAs.

The scores of infantilization in the experimental group significantly decreased from pre-intervention to post-intervention in the professional, F(1, 85) = 37.184, p = .01, partial η2 = .030, and in the institution, F(1, 84) = 32.128, p = .01, partial η2 = .277, while the control group did not show any changes. There was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention between the experimental and the control group when participants scored their infantilization practices, F(1, 115) = 5.175, p = .03, partial η2 = .043, and infantilization practices observed in the institution, F(1, 115) = 5.810, p = .018, partial η2 = .048.

These results reflect the importance of developing interventions focused on preventing infantilization, methodologically rigorous, in which professionals´ training and education are considered key pieces to generate a culture of change. More research is needed to understand this problem in greater depth to develop programs that address this problem at different levels.

This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant no. PSI2016-79803-R).