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Reducing loneliness and depressive symptoms in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic : A pre-post evaluation of a psychosocial online intervention
Gabarrell-Pascuet, Aina (Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina)
Coll-Planas, Laura (Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya)
Blancafort Alias, Sergi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Fundació Salut i Envelliment)
Martínez Pascual, Regina (Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu)
Haro, Josep Maria (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental)
Domènech-Abella, Joan (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental)

Data: 2024
Resum: Background Loneliness is related to worse mental health, particularly in people with poor social support. The COVID-19 pandemic altered our lives and ways of social interaction, especially among vulnerable populations such as older adults. Methods We designed a group-based psychosocial online intervention for older adults (≥ 65 years) facilitated by gerontologists addressing loneliness consisting of: (i) sharing experiences and promoting peer support to overcome feelings of loneliness and (ii) increasing the chances of establishing successful social relationships. This was a feasibility non-controlled prospective pilot study carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-post evaluation. Interviews before and after the intervention assessed loneliness (emotional and social), social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms, quality of life, and perceived health. Groups of 6-8 participants and 2 facilitators met once a week for 8 weeks through videoconferencing. The intervention effectiveness was assessed with multilevel models for repeated measures. Results The study sample (N = 27) was mainly composed of females (74%) and the mean age was 74. 26 years. 21 participants completed the intervention (22% drop-out rate). Statistically significant (p<0. 01) decreases in emotional loneliness and depressive symptoms were observed following the intervention. Qualitatively, participants positively evaluated the intervention and found in the group a space for personal growth where they could meet new people and express themselves with confidence and security. Conclusions Interventions overcoming social distancing restrictions through online tools and targeting vulnerable population sectors (e. g. , older adults) can become essential to lessen the collateral consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on social behaviour and mental health.
Drets: Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. Creative Commons
Llengua: Anglès
Document: Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria: Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anxiety ; COVID-19 ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Loneliness ; Male ; Mental Health ; Pandemics ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Psychosocial Intervention ; Quality of Life ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Social Support
Publicat a: PloS one, Vol. 19 Núm. 12 (december 2024) , p. e0311883, ISSN 1932-6203

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311883
PMID: 39671355


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 Registre creat el 2025-01-22, darrera modificació el 2025-02-06



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