A mixed methods feasibility study of group-based acceptance and commitment therapy with older people with mental health difficulties

Dewey, Elizabeth (2018) A mixed methods feasibility study of group-based acceptance and commitment therapy with older people with mental health difficulties. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background: CBT has mixed findings for older people with mental health difficulties and has been described as no more efficacious than relaxation training for anxiety. Due to the types of difficulties associated with old age that cannot be changed, such as chronic health conditions and experiences of bereavement and retirement, a more acceptance-based approach, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) could be more suitable; however, there are few clinical trials with ACT and older people.
Objectives: This feasibility study used mixed methods to explore the acceptability and feasibility of delivering ACT groups to inpatient and outpatient older people.
Method/Results: 14 participants were recruited, nine of these completed the group (defined as attending four of six sessions) and eight were interviewed. Results suggested that 12 weeks after the last session, completers’ anxiety and cognitive fusion scores significantly decreased. Interviews suggested that ACT was acceptable to participants.
Conclusions: ACT is both a feasible and acceptable transdiagnostic intervention for older people in an outpatient setting. Preliminary quantitative analysis suggested the intervention reduced anxiety and cognitive fusion; however, this should be measured in future intervention studies with higher participant numbers. Qualitative analysis suggested older people engaged with ACT because of the focus on visual material and that it seemed to increase their perspective taking and self-efficacy. The latter needs to be explored quantitatively.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy, older adults, feasibility study.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: McLeod, Professor Hamish
• Date of Award: 2018
• Depositing User: Ms Elizabeth Dewey
• Unique ID: glathesis:2018-30802
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 25 Sep 2018 14:46
• Last Modified: 08 Nov 2018 13:33
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/30802