Befriending, Loneliness, and Quality of Life of Older Adults: A Pilot Evaluation Study

McHugh Power, Joanna E., Holton, Eimíle, Lawlor, Brian A., Kee, Frank, Scharf, Thomas, Moynihan, Sean, Kelly, Michelle E. and Hannigan, Caoimhe (2025) Befriending, Loneliness, and Quality of Life of Older Adults: A Pilot Evaluation Study. Clinical Gerontologist. pp. 1-10. ISSN 1545-2301

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Objectives: An aggregated interventional N-of-1 or single-case design was used to assess the impact of a befriending intervention on a) health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and b) the association between loneliness on HR-QoL among older adults.

Methods: Participants were n = 33 new users of the service, aged 60 + . Outcomes were measured at 13 timepoints across 26 weeks, and data were analyzed using generalized additive modeling (GAM) with a subset of data analyzed using supplementary visual analysis.

Results: Results indicate that the befriending service may reduce decline of HR-QoL (i.e. HR-QoL declined in the baseline phase over time: edf = 3.893, F = 3.0, p = .002, while in the treatment phase, HR-QoL remained more stable: edf = 5.98, F = 2.98, p = .008). The intervention also suppressed the impact of loneliness on HR-QoL.

Conclusions: Befriending interventions may prevent declines in HR-QoL, and may moderate the impact of loneliness on HR-QoL.

Clinical Implications: Our preliminary findings suggest that befriending services may be useful if clinicians have concerns about the health impacts of loneliness for older people. It is difficult to evaluate community-based services, and we consider the challenges we faced, with a view to assisting others planning similar evaluations.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Aggregated N-of-1; intensive longitudinal; loneliness; quality of life
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform > Community Development R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > Welfare of older people
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	29 May 2025 12:36
Last Modified:	29 May 2025 12:36
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/7690

Actions (login required)

View Item