Positive aging: feasibility and acceptability of an eHealth ACT module for middle-aged and older adults
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Abstract
Previous research emphasizes the importance of well-being in old age and its association with positive mental and physical health at earlier stages of aging during midlife. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has the potential to support positive aging processes. This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of a new unguided eHealth ACT module in a population from 40 years onwards. Data was collected at two measurement points in time (before and after completion of the ACT module). In total three-hundred and thirteen participants (range=40-75 years; Mean(SD)=54 years (8.3); 76% female) had eight weeks access to the ACT module and responded to the feasibility questionnaire, upon completion of the module. Logged data (time spent online per session and in total, number of attended sessions) was also analyzed. Of the respondents, 76% reported a completion rate of 75%-100%. On average 3.5 hours (SD= 6.4) per week were spent on the module and practicing the ACT skills. The mean evaluation of the module was 7.4 (SD = 1.2, range=1-10). Approximately 80% of the participants rated each session as (very) good. Absence of guidance was marked as a limitation. The results indicate good feasibility and acceptance of this unguided eHealth module. This is a promising result as this is, to our knowledge, the first study applying an eHealth ACT module to the general population in the context of positive aging. The effectiveness results will be addressed in a future paper.
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Some telehealth-delivered CBT or ACT-based treatments tailored to older adults often target specific mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression in isolation, and for some programs research has mostly explored feasibility and acceptability rather than effectiveness.
“some provide telehealth-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or ACT-based treatments tailored to older adults [e.g., (66–68)], however, these often target specific mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depression, in isolation, and for some programs research has mostly explored their feasibility and acceptability rather than their effectiveness.”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [68]
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- Authors
- Verdoodt, K., Batink, T., Simons, M., Janssens, M., Peeters, S., Lataster, J., Jacobs, N., & Reijnders, J.
- Affiliations
- Open University of the Netherlands (NL)
- Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Verdoodt, Katleen
- ORCID
- Venue
- Educational Gerontology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2023-01-25
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 737-757
- ISSN
- 0360-1277 (ISSN-L)
- 1521-0472
- OpenAlex
- W4318046638
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 1.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Educational Gerontology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- DSpace (Open University in the Netherlands) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DSpace (Open University in the Netherlands) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
- OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Keywords
- positive aging, acceptance and commitment therapy, digital health interventions, middle-aged and older adults, feasibility, acceptability, well-being in old age, digital mental health
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