An Evaluation of a Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy mHealth-Supported Intervention to Reduce Loneliness in Older People

Mary Ann Jarvis, Anita Padmanabhanunni and Jennifer Chipps
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Mary Ann Jarvis: School of Nursing and Public Health, Desmond Clarence Bldg. Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
Anita Padmanabhanunni: Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Avenue, Belville 7535, South Africa
Jennifer Chipps: School of Nursing, Faculty of Community Health, University of the Western Cape, 14 Blanckenberg Road, Belville 7535, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: There is a high prevalence of loneliness among older people, especially in residential care settings. Loneliness is often accompanied by maladaptive cognitions which can affect the maintenance and establishment of meaningful social connections. This study implemented and evaluated a low-intensity Cognitive Behavior Therapy (LI-CBT) mHealth-supported intervention which targeted maladaptive cognitions in older people (≥60 years) experiencing loneliness. The three-month intervention using WhatsApp was implemented with older people in four inner-city residential care facilities. The intervention included three components: technology acceptance, psycho-education, and individualized positively worded messages addressing maladaptive cognitions. The intervention was evaluated using a randomized control design. Key outcomes were measured pre-, post-, and one month after the intervention. There were significant changes in social cognition (YSQ-SF T 0 –T 1 –T 2 , X 2 = 9.69, p = 0.008) and loneliness levels (total loneliness T 0 –T 1 –T 2 , X 2 = 14.62, p = 0.001), and an increase in WhatsApp usage (T 0 = 26% vs. T 1 = 60%, X 2 =15.22, p = 0.019). At 1-month follow-up, even with a significant reduction in WhatsApp usage, a significant reduction in loneliness was maintained. LI-CBT delivered via instant messaging may be effective in reducing loneliness experienced by older people.

Keywords: older people; loneliness; mHealth; low-intensity CBT; smartphone; WhatsApp (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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