Connecting in place: older adults' experience of online mindfulness therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adele Pacini, Annabel Stickland, Nuriye Kupeli
Age and ageing December 5, 2022 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac270 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 85 years, recruited via older adult organisations, charities and the local press; 19% had long-term physical health conditions, 25% had severe and enduring mental health difficulties and 19% had mild to moderate mental health difficulties |
| Intervention | Online mindfulness therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Covid-19 Mental health Older people Qualitative paper |
| Key findings | Most participants were positive about attending an online mindfulness group during the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting perceived psychological and social benefits as well as practical advantages, and there was a strong sense of group cohesion and community. Some noted technological hurdles at the beginning. The authors argue these findings challenge previous studies suggesting older adults are reluctant to engage in online psychological therapies. |
Abstract
the negative consequences of COVID-19 distancing measures on older adults' mental health and ability to access services have been well documented. Online cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness interventions for older adults, carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, have shown that these interventions are feasible and have potential mental health benefits. However, little research has been carried out on older adults' experiences of engaging with online psychological therapy, and specifically mindfulness therapy. to understand the experience of older adults engaging with online mindfulness therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. a qualitative analysis of four community-based focus groups. thirty-six community dwelling older adults aged between 65 and 85 years were recruited via older adult organisations, charities and the local press. Nineteen percent had long-term physical health conditions, 25% had severe and enduring mental health difficulties and 19% had mild to moderate mental health difficulties. there was a strong sense of group cohesion and community from the participants.Three main themes were identified: reasons for applying, experience of the mindfulness therapy and connecting at home. the majority of participants were positive about attending a mindfulness group online. This extended to the perceived psychological and social benefits as well as practical considerations. While some participants noted technological hurdles at the beginning of the course, the findings challenge previous studies that suggest older adults are reluctant to engage in online psychological therapies and has important implications for the future provision of psychological therapies to this population.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.