Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Older adults can re-appraise loneliness using a social connectivity app: a mixed method intervention study. |
| Authors: |
Harkin, Lydia (AUTHOR), Stevenson, Clifford (AUTHOR), Fino, Emanuele (AUTHOR), Talbot, Catherine (AUTHOR), Stuart, Avelie (AUTHOR), Park, Miriam Sang-Ah (AUTHOR), Lay, Jennifer (AUTHOR), Katz, Dmitri (AUTHOR), Price, Blaine (AUTHOR), Gooch, Daniel (AUTHOR) |
| Source: |
Aging & Mental Health. Mar2026, Vol. 30 Issue 3, p517-528. 12p. |
| Subjects: |
Prevention of mental depression, Mobile apps, Pearson correlation (Statistics), Reinforcement (Psychology), Research funding, Qualitative research, Data analysis, Statistical sampling, Interviewing, Loneliness, Randomized controlled trials, Descriptive statistics, Thematic analysis, Social networks, Research methodology, Statistics, Anxiety disorders, Data analysis software, Psychological tests, Self-perception, Old age |
| Abstract: |
Objectives: Older adults face an elevated risk of social isolation, loneliness, and poor psychological health. This mixed methods study evaluates a trial of an intervention app designed to protect against loneliness by raising older adults' awareness of their social relationships. Method: A 4-week online mixed methods randomised 2 (condition: app use vs waitlist) x 3 (timepoint: baseline, 2 week, and 4 week wellbeing) trial, with follow up qualitative interviews. Older adults (N = 99, Mean Age = 68) completed a survey at three timepoints (baseline, two, and four weeks) reporting loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Forty-five post-trial interviews were conducted with the app users and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: A significant interaction effect was found; participants using the app reported a significant reduction in depression scores between baseline and four-week follow-up. There was no significant effect on loneliness or anxiety scores. Interviews revealed ways app users were (1) Holding up a mirror to feelings about their social groups, (2) Re-appraising loneliness; and (3) Acting as analysts. Conclusion: The digital intervention reduced reported depression by enhancing positive appraisal of social groups. Further work is required to understand how to overcome risks of reflection-based apps for loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
