Patapoff MA, Jester DJ, Daly RE, Mausbach BT, Depp CA, Glorioso DK. Remotely-administered resilience and self-compassion intervention targeting loneliness and stress in older adults: a single-case experimental design.
Aging Ment Health 2024;
28:369-376. [PMID:
37814972 PMCID:
PMC10842569 DOI:
10.1080/13607863.2023.2262411]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Loneliness and chronic stress are prevalent issues for older adults that have been linked to adverse health outcomes. We conducted a remote resilience and self-compassion intervention targeting loneliness and chronic stress.
METHODS
This study utilized a multiple-phase-change single-case experimental design with three consecutive 6-week phases: control, intervention, follow-up. Assessments and biomarker collection (blood pressure, inflammation, sleep actigraphy) were conducted at each phase. Participants completed a 6-week remotely-administered resilience and self-compassion intervention using techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and resilience training. Repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted over the 12-week period from control (week 0) to intervention completion (week 12) and over the 18-week period from control (week 0) to follow-up (week 18) in supplemental analyses.
RESULTS
Participants reported a reduction in stress (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.15), depression (p = 0.02; ηp2 = 0.08), and loneliness (p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.18), and an increase in self-compassion (p = 0.01; ηp2 = 0.13) from control to intervention completion (weeks 0-12). Post-hoc tests revealed that stress reduced significantly during the intervention phase (weeks 6-12) and loneliness reduced significantly during the control phase (weeks 0-6). Some improvements in blood pressure, inflammation, and sleep quality were noted in a subsample of participants.
CONCLUSION
Findings indicate that our remote resilience and self-compassion intervention for older adults targeting loneliness and chronic stress was efficacious.
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