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PreprintCited by 4Digital Mental Health InterventionsTechnology Use by Older AdultsTelemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

User-centered development of an internet-based CBT intervention for the treatment of loneliness in older individuals

Open access
Dworschak, Christine, Heim, Eva, Kuhn, Nadine, Schwager, Jessica, Tröster, Alicia, Maercker, Andreas·2023
DOI 10.31219/osf.io/238xz
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Abstract

Background: Loneliness is a widespread phenomenon associated with a number of negative health outcomes. Older individuals may constitute one important target group with a need for effective interventions. However, despite evidence showing that addressing maladaptive social cognition (e.g., via cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) is the most effective intervention strategy for reducing loneliness, most existing programs aimed at older individuals do not use that method. Further, in terms of mental health service use, older individuals have been found to be an extremely undertreated population. When developing interventions, active involvement of end users in the development process is essential to increase later uptake.Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop an internet-based CBT intervention for loneliness in older individuals (i.e., aged ≥ 65 years) applying a user-centered design. The present report provides an in-depth description of the development process.Methods: Two phases of qualitative data collection were conducted in parallel with intervention development using a sample of N=12 participants including both potential end users (i.e., older adults) as well as experts (i.e., psychotherapists). Measures included semi-structured interviews and usability testing. Results: In Phase 1 interviews, participants indicated that they were predominantly positive about the idea of an internet-based program for loneliness targeting older individuals. Individualization and interactivity were named as crucial features. In Phase 2, usability testing of a prototype program provided important insights into technical barriers to intervention use. Further, participants reported that they were missing content on philosophy/theology and the role of descendants/relatives. Valuable insights from Phase 1 and Phase 2 were incorporated into the intervention program resulting in a 7-module internet-based self-help CBT intervention. Discussion: Findings of this study highlight the significance of including relevant stakeholders in the development process of an intervention. Additionally, results emphasize the high acceptance of internet-based interventions in this population, but also underline the need for considering age-specific aspects when developing treatments.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Erikson, E.H. (Ed.), 1982. The Life Cycle Completed. Norton.
  2. Peplau, L.A., Perlman, D. (Eds.), 1982. Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Research and Therapy. Wiley.

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Authors
Dworschak, C., Heim, E., Kuhn, N., Schwager, J., Tröster, A., & Maercker, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • University of Lausanne (CH)
Corresponding author
Dworschak, Christine
ORCID
Publisher
Center for Open Science
Published
2023-08-09
DOI
10.31219/osf.io/238xz
OpenAlex
W4385722857
Cited by
4
References
43
Citations by year
2024: 3 · 2023: 1
Type
posted content
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
Keywords
loneliness, older adults, online intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, user-centered design, self-help intervention, usability testing, stakeholder engagement, age-specific treatment

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