scholarly journals A pragmatic trial of a group intervention in senior housing communities to increase resilience

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily B. H. Treichler ◽  
Danielle Glorioso ◽  
Ellen E. Lee ◽  
Tsung-Chin Wu ◽  
Xin M. Tu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stepped Wedge ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
Stepped Wedge Trial

AbstractBackground:Aging is associated with numerous stressors that negatively impact older adults’ well-being. Resilience improves ability to cope with stressors and can be enhanced in older adults. Senior housing communities are promising settings to deliver positive psychiatry interventions due to rising resident populations and potential impact of delivering interventions directly in the community. However, few intervention studies have been conducted in these communities. We present a pragmatic stepped-wedge trial of a novel psychological group intervention intended to improve resilience among older adults in senior housing communities.Design:A pragmatic modified stepped-wedge trial design.Setting:Five senior housing communities in three states in the US.Participants:Eighty-nine adults over age 60 years residing in independent living sector of senior housing communities.Intervention:Raise Your Resilience, a manualized 1-month group intervention that incorporated savoring, gratitude, and engagement in value-based activities, administered by unlicensed residential staff trained by researchers. There was a 1-month control period and a 3-month post-intervention follow-up.Measurements:Validated self-report measures of resilience, perceived stress, well-being, and wisdom collected at months 0 (baseline), 1 (pre-intervention), 2 (post-intervention), and 5 (follow-up).Results:Treatment adherence and satisfaction were high. Compared to the control period, perceived stress and wisdom improved from pre-intervention to post-intervention, while resilience improved from pre-intervention to follow-up. Effect sizes were small in this sample, which had relatively high baseline resilience. Physical and mental well-being did not improve significantly, and no significant moderators of change in resilience were identified.Conclusion:This study demonstrates feasibility of conducting pragmatic intervention trials in senior housing communities. The intervention resulted in significant improvement in several measures despite ceiling effects. The study included several features that suggest high potential for its implementation and dissemination across similar communities nationally. Future studies are warranted, particularly in samples with lower baseline resilience or in assisted living facilities.

scholarly journals Lighten UP! A Community-Based Group Intervention to Promote Eudaimonic Well-Being in Older Adults: A Multi-Site Replication with 6 Month Follow-Up

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Friedman ◽  
C. Ruini ◽  
C. R. Foy ◽  
L. Jaros ◽  
G. Love ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based

Motibot - The Virtual Coach for Healthy Coping Intervention among adults with diabetes: A Proof-of-Concept study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Bassi ◽  
Claudio Giuliano ◽  
Alessio Perinelli ◽  
Stefano Forti ◽  
Silvia Gabrielli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Concept Study ◽  
Stress Symptoms

BACKGROUND Adults with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) present difficulties in maintaining healthy behaviors, in which motivation represents a core component, since it allows them to adhere to clinical recommendations. Virtual Coaches (VCs) have recently become more relevant in supporting and treating common barriers associated with adherence among adults with DM, especially concerning medical and physical aspects. However, few VCs are aimed at supporting adults with DM from a psychosocial perspective. OBJECTIVE This proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate—at pre-, post-intervention and follow-up—the preliminary efficacy of a VC intervention in motivating adults with DM to reduce depression, anxiety, perceived stress symptoms, diabetes-emotional distress, and improve their well-being, by encouraging them to adopt psychosocial healthy coping strategies. In addition, users’ experience and engagement with a VC were assessed. METHODS A total of 13 Italian adults with DM (18-51 years) were recruited using snowball sampling via social media and a standardized psychosocial tools battery was applied at pre-, post-intervention, and follow-up. Participation in the study implied having access to a VC called Motibot, which stands for Motivational bot, within the Telegram application, based on Natural Language Understanding (NLU). Its intent is to motivate the user to adopt and cultivate healthy coping strategies based on the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ (AADE) guidelines as well as on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Motibot interacts with users in compliance with the Transtheoretical Model of Change, in order to deliver the most appropriate psychoeducational intervention tailored to the user's motivation to change. The interaction covered 12 sessions—each one lasting 10-20 minutes—during which the user could dialogue with the VC by inputting text or tapping an option on their smartphone screen. RESULTS Over the 12 sessions there were no significant changes at pre-, post-intervention, and follow-up concerning the psychosocial factors. However, most users showed a downward trend over the three time periods in depression and anxiety symptoms—except for perceived stress symptoms, which remained moderate for the whole intervention—thereby presenting good psychological well-being and no diabetes-emotional distress. Moreover, users felt motivated, involved, encouraged, emotionally understood, and stimulated by Motibot during the interaction. Indeed, the analyses of interviews through a text mining approach confirmed that Motibot is capable of supporting and motivating adults with DM to adopt healthy coping strategies and reduce anxiety, depression, and perceived stress symptoms. Users also reported having a positive and interesting experience with Motibot, particularly regarding the mindfulness audio tracks and the encouragement for self-reflection on their own emotions. CONCLUSIONS A VC developed using NLU was well-accepted by users, particularly due to the presence of a mindfulness pathway, which motivated them to adopt healthy coping skills. Cultivating healthy coping strategies allows adults to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms as well as diabetes-related emotional distress, and to improve their well-being.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Brief Group Intervention Program for Young Adults with Gaming-Related Problems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niko Männikkö ◽  
Terhi Mustonen ◽  
Niina Tanner ◽  
Hannu Vähänikkilä ◽  
Maria Kääriäinen
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Gaming Disorder ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Post Test

AbstractExcessive digital gaming can have unfavorable effects on gamers’ well-being and everyday functioning. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of a novel group intervention “Limitless Gaming Bootcamp” on (i) gaming disorder (GD) tendencies, (ii) the amount of time spent on leisure activities, and (iii) subjective well-being among Finnish young adults, and to determine the persistence of the intervention’s influence over time. A one-group pre- and post-test design with no control group was used. Thirty-seven participants were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria were being between the ages of 18 and 29; self-reported excessive gaming; a willingness to get support in monitoring one’s gaming behaviour; and a fluency in Finnish. Participants completed a 10-session group intervention designed to enhance conscious gaming behavior and well-being. Baseline, post-test, and six month follow-up measurements were conducted to gather data. Variables measured included background variables, gaming disorder tendencies (Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire, POGQ), self-reported time spent on various leisure activities, and subjective well-being (Short Form of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, CORE-SF/A). The time spent on gaming decreased from pre- to post-intervention measurement and further to the six month follow-up, and participants exhibited less severe GD symptoms during the post-intervention phase and six months after the intervention. Gradual improvements in subjective well-being were also observed. The group intervention was found to be particularly effective at reducing the severity of GD symptoms.

scholarly journals Teaching and Practicing Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness Skills in a Web-Based Platform among Older Adults through the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10563
Author(s):  
Stav Shapira ◽  
Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽  
Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽  
Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽  
Avram Mark Clarfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Wait List Control

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration in the development of web-based interventions to alleviate related mental health impacts. The current study explored the effects of a short-term digital group intervention aimed at providing cognitive behavioral and mindfulness tools and skills to reduce loneliness and depression and to increase social support among older adults in Israel. This pilot randomized controlled trial included community-dwelling older adults (n = 82; aged between 65–90 years; 80% female) who were randomized either to an intervention group (n = 64) or a wait-list control group (n = 18). The intervention included seven online sessions, over 3.5 weeks. Depression, loneliness, and social support measures were administered at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistically and clinically significant reductions in depression in the intervention group, with results maintained at one-month follow-up. Loneliness levels also significantly decreased post-intervention; however, this benefit was not maintained at one-month follow-up. Social support slightly increased both post-intervention and 1-month follow-up—but these changes were not statistically significant. There were no overall changes for the wait-list control group. Our intervention provided promising evidence regarding the effectiveness of an online group intervention to alleviate mental health effects and to promote the coping of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This relatively simple model can be effectively utilized by communities globally to help connect lonely and isolated older inhabitants, both during the pandemic and in more routine times.

scholarly journals Reliability and validity of the Brief 2-Way Social Support Scale: an investigation of social support in promoting older adult well-being

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211983602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Obst ◽  
Jane Shakespeare-Finch ◽  
Daniel J Krosch ◽  
Elizabeth J Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Social Support Scale ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between well-being and perceived stress, and the functional dimensions of social support in older adults. Method: Data from 306 older adults were obtained in a survey containing the two-way Social Support Scale (2-Way SSS). Also, a subset of the sample ( N = 165) was filled out with measures of well-being and perceived stress, and a follow-up survey was completed 3 months later ( N = 111). Results: Confirmatory factor analyses and reliability analyses provide evidence for a 12-item Brief 2-Way SSS as a reliable and valid measure of the four domains of Social Support. Correlations and regression analyses indicated the scale displayed good concurrent and predictive validity across time points, with receiving emotional support positively associated with well-being at Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2), and Receiving Instrumental Support negatively associated with perceived stress at TI and T2. Conclusions: This study provides support for the importance of examining the influence of separable elements of social support on psychological outcomes in older adults. The Brief 2-Way SSS was found to have good psychometric properties in this sample of older adults.

scholarly journals LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF THE BENEFIT-FINDING GROUP INTERVENTION FOR ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY CAREGIVERS: A DOUBLE-BLIND RCT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S678-S678
Author(s):  
Sheung-Tak Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Role Overload ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Double Blind

Abstract This study examines the long-term effects of benefit-finding on caregivers’ depressive symptoms (primary outcome), and global burden, role overload, and psychological well-being (secondary outcomes). 96 Hong Kong Chinese caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease were randomly assigned to receive the benefit-finding intervention (BFT) or one of two control conditions, namely, simplified psychoeducation (lectures only; SIM-PE) or standard psychoeducation (STD-PE). Caregivers received four biweekly one-to-one interventions of three hours each at their own homes. Participants and raters were blind to experimental assignment. We focused on outcomes measured at 4- and 10-month follow-ups. The trajectories of intervention effects were modeled by BFT x time and BFT x time2 interaction terms. Mixed-effects regression showed significant BFT x time2 interaction effects on depressive symptoms against both control conditions, suggesting diminishing BFT effects over time. Z tests showed that, compared with controls, BFT participants reported substantial reductions in depressive symptoms at 4-month follow-up (d = -0.85 and -0.75 vs. SIM-PE and STD-PE respectively). At 10-month follow-up, BFT was indistinguishable from STD-PE whereas a moderate effect was observed in the comparison with SIM-PE (d = -0.52). In addition, some inconsistent effects on role overload were observed but no effect was found for the other outcome variables. It is concluded that benefit-finding is an efficacious intervention for depressive symptoms in Alzheimer caregivers, with strong effects in the medium-term post-intervention and possible moderate effects in the long-term.

scholarly journals Grandparent Resilience: Improving Self-Efficacy in Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 510-510
Author(s):  
Aimee Fox ◽  
Nathaniel Riggs ◽  
Loriena Yancura ◽  
Christine Fruhauf
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Post Test

Abstract Grandparents often protect against childhood trauma and promote resilience through their nurturance, love, and support when raising grandchildren. Despite the beneficial role grandparents have on their grandchildren, grandparents may experience challenges of their own, including physical, mental, and emotional health issues, lack of resources, and social isolation. Few interventions exist to help grandparents successfully adapt to the challenges they face as primary parenting figures. The purpose of this study was to test preliminary efficacy of a strengths-based intervention for grandparents raising grandchildren aimed at increasing self-care behaviors, managing emotions, and connecting to community resources. Grandparents (N = 137) providing primary care to grandchildren were recruited to participate in a single-group, pre- and post-test design, 6-week intervention. Self-efficacy was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. To evaluate who the intervention might be most beneficial for, grandparents’ service knowledge, perceived support from others, and length of care provided, measured at baseline, were analyzed for moderating effects. Results of paired-samples t-tests reveal significant increases in self-efficacy (p = .013) from baseline to post-test, which were maintained at the 6-month follow-up (p = .010). Hierarchical multiple regression showed interaction effects of the hypothesized moderators were not significant, indicating improvements in self-efficacy regardless of individual variability at baseline. As demonstrated, interventions can be effective at increasing self-efficacy in grandparents raising grandchildren and strengths-based approaches have the potential to provide universal benefits to grandparents, thus improving functioning in grandfamilies and promoting the health and well-being of grandparents and their grandchildren.

Walking for Better Outcomes and Recovery: The Effect of WALK-FOR in Preventing Hospital-Associated Functional Decline Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1664-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Cohen ◽  
Anna Zisberg ◽  
Yehudit Chayat ◽  
Nurit Gur-Yaish ◽  
Efrat Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Activity Survey

Abstract Background In-hospital immobility of older adults is associated with hospital-associated functional decline (HAFD). This study examined the WALK-FOR program’s effects on HAFD prevention. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post two-group (intervention group [IG] n = 188, control group [CG] n = 189) design was applied in two hospital internal medical units. On admission, patients reported pre-hospitalization functional status, which was assessed again at discharge and 1-month follow-up. Primary outcome was decline in basic activities of daily living (BADL), using the Modified Barthel Index. Secondary outcomes were decline in instrumental ADL (Lawton’s IADL scale) and community mobility (Yale Physical Activity Survey). All participants (75.1 ± 7 years old) were cognitively intact and ambulatory at admission. The WALK-FOR included a unit-tailored mobility program utilizing patient-and-staff education with a specific mobility goal (900 steps per day), measured by accelerometer. Results Decline in BADL occurred among 33% of the CG versus 23% of the IG (p = .02) at discharge, and among 43% of the CG versus 30% in the IG (p = .01) at 1-month follow-up. Similarly, 26% of the CG versus 15% of the IG declined in community mobility at 1-month follow-up (p = .01). Adjusted for major covariates, the intervention reduced the odds of decline in BADL by 41% (p = .05) at discharge and by 49% at 1-month follow-up (p = .01), and in community mobility by 63% (p = .02). There was no significant effect of the intervention on IADL decline (p = .19). Conclusions The WALK-FOR intervention is effective in reducing HAFD.

Concerns and difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults with cancer in Mexico.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12042-12042
Author(s):  
Sofia Sánchez-Román ◽  
Yanin Chavarri Guerra ◽  
Andrea Morales Morales Alfaro ◽  
Daniela Ramirez Maza ◽  
Andrea de la O Murillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
The Individual

12042 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the well-being of people not only due to the disease but also because of stay-at-home orders, social distancing, unemployment, and different kinds of loses. Older adults have particularly suffered during the pandemic, with increased health-related concerns and anxiety leading to increased vulnerability. However, little is known about the effects of the pandemic on older adults with cancer living in developing countries. They are facing issues related to their diagnosis and treatment, as well as the effects of the pandemic on their care and on the well-being of their families. To improve care for this vulnerable population, we studied the concerns and difficulties associated with COVID-19 among older Mexican adults with cancer. Methods: We included patients age ≥65 with the 10 most common tumors in Mexico according to GLOBOCAN and within 3-24 months of cancer diagnosis at two public hospitals in Mexico City. Patients were contacted telephonically and asked to complete a survey reporting the difficulties encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic and to rate their concerns associated with cancer care management using a 0-10 Likert-type scale, with higher ratings meaning increased concerns. Focused interviews were used to describe the individual experience of selected patients and their relatives related to COVID-19 and cancer care. Results: Between April 20, 2020 and December 1, 2021, 67 patients (mean age 71.9, min 65, max 90; 35.8% female; 62.7% living with a partner) were included. The most common tumors were prostate (43%), colon (16%), and lung (12%). 46% had Stage IV disease, and 61% had a life expectancy of more than a year. Twenty-five percent of patients reported encountering at least one difficulty in obtaining cancer care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 43% of the patients reported difficulties with accessing follow-up cancer care; 39% reported issues with obtaining medications, including chemotherapy; and 34% reported problems obtaining medical care in general, including oncology visits. Regarding concerns, 33% of the patients reported being “very worried” or “extremely worried” about the COVID-19 pandemic. The most relevant concerns were related to getting infected with COVID-19 (or having a family member who became infected) (mean rating 7.9, SD 2.9); not being able to pay for cancer treatments or medical care (mean rating 6.9, SD 3.5); and worsening of cancer due to delayed care during the pandemic (mean rating 6.6, SD 3.7). Conclusions: A significant proportion of older adults with cancer in Mexico faced difficulties obtaining cancer treatment and follow-up care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their most relevant concerns included getting infected, financial losses, and progression of disease. Creating systems to provide continued cancer care for vulnerable populations in developing countries is essential to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA. Methods Seven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic. Results Regression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS. Discussion Findings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

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