THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-EFFICACY, OPTIMISM, AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT UTILIZATION IN HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS

BACKGROUND Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in older adults. Unfortunately, it often goes unrecognized in the older population. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify how Web-based apps can recognize and help treat depression in older adults. METHODS Focus groups were conducted with mental health care experts. A Web-based survey of 56 older adults suffering from depression was conducted. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 2 individuals. RESULTS Results of the focus groups highlighted that there is a need for a collaborative care platform for depression in old age. Findings from the Web-based study showed that younger participants (aged 50 to 64 years) used electronic media more often than older participants (aged 65 years and older). The interviews pointed in a comparable direction. CONCLUSIONS Overall, an e-mental (electronic mental) health treatment for depression in older adults would be well accepted. Web-based care platforms should be developed, evaluated, and in case of evidence for their effectiveness, integrated into the everyday clinic.

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Feasibility and Conceptualization of an e-Mental Health Treatment for Depression in Older Adults: Mixed-Methods Study

JMIR Aging ◽

10.2196/10973 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. e10973 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christiane Eichenberg ◽

Markus Schott ◽

Adam Sawyer ◽

Georg Aumayr ◽

Manuela Plößnig

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Mental Health Treatment ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Health Treatment

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The Influence of Mindfulness Meditation Versus CBT for Anxiety on Emotional Distress and Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Health Treatment

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1071334/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran ◽

Liav Shturm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Emotional Distress ◽

Mental Health Treatment ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Health Treatment ◽

Before And After

Abstract Older adults often avoid seeking psychological treatment, challenging their ability to adaptively deal with anxiety, stress and depression. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of a mindfulness intervention vs. cognitive-behavioral-therapy (CBT) on measures of emotional distress and attitudes towards seeking mental-health treatment among older adults. Twenty-four seniors were assigned to: 1) MBIS (Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors); and 2) CBT for anxiety, or to a care-as-usual control group. Attitudes towards seeking psychological treatment, levels of depression, anxiety and worry were measured before and after the interventions. Following the intervention, participants more positively addressed the possibility of utilizing psychological treatment, while no changes were observed in the control group. Interestingly, levels of worry improved only in the MBIS group, and anxiety levels only improved in the CBT group. It seems that attending cognitive group interventions are effective to their focus and positively impact attitudes towards psychological treatment.

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