Loneliness is a key predictor of mortality in older adults, and is a prominent risk factor for mental and physical illness in older adulthood. The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a group loneliness intervention in geriatric psychiatry outpatients. This type of group loneliness intervention is based on functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), called Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) Groups. The objective of this clinical trial is to adapt, implement, and evaluate the ACL group for outpatients.
The objective of this clinical trial is to adapt, implement, and evaluate a type of loneliness group intervention called Awareness, Courage, and Love Groups for older adult outpatients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. The following research questions will be answered: (a) Are ACL groups with geriatric psychiatry outpatients feasible and acceptable? (b) Do such ACL groups demonstrate preliminary efficacy?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) groups are an outgrowth of functional analytic psychotherapy, which is an empirically-based behavioural therapy that emphasizes the principle of positive reinforcement within relationships (Holman et al., 2017; Kanter et al., 2010; Kohlenberg \& Tsai, 1991; Tsai et al., 2009a). Awareness involves the practice of mindfulness, and in particular, the noticing of emotions within oneself and in others (Tsai et al., 2009b). Courage refers to engaging in vulnerable self-disclosures and practicing boundaried support. Love encompasses healthy caring for oneself and others, and in particular, responding affirmingly to another person's self-disclosures.
St. Joseph's Health Care London
London, Ontario, Canada
De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale
Brief measure of loneliness. The minimum value is 0, the maximum value is 11, and higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
Attendance and attrition (defined as the number of participants that withdraw (numerator)/number of participants randomised (denominator))
Measure of feasibility. Captured across 8 sessions, comparing pre to post.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
Quantitative Program Satisfaction
Brief measure of program satisfaction. The minimum value is 0, the maximum value is 16, and higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
UCLA Loneliness Scale (Neto)
Brief measure of loneliness. The minimum value is 6, the maximum value is 24, and higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale
1 item pictorial scale of subjective wellbeing from 0 (minimum) to 10 (maximum). A higher score indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
Adaptation of Inclusion of Other in Self Scale
Brief single-item pictorial measure of social closeness. The minimum value is 1, the maximum value is 7, and higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
Relational Health Indices
Brief measure of group relational health. The minimum value is 8, the maximum value is 40, and higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
Sacred Moment Qualities
Brief measure of perceived sacred qualities, adapted from Pargament et al. (2014). The minimum value is 11, the maximum value is 55, and higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to 2 months
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