Can we support mourning older adults in their grief process with an e-mental health intervention?

Purpose To ensure a sustainable and safe implementation of e-mental health interventions for mourning older adults, we need to know how these interventions are used and whether the target group accepts them. Consequently, this research investigates the user experience of an e-mental health intervention supporting mourning older adults, called LEAVES. Methods We conducted a crossover pilot study in the Netherlands among older adults who lost their spouse: one group started with using the e-mental health intervention, the other group started with a waiting period and then used the e-mental health intervention. For both groups, a follow-up period was scheduled after using the intervention. Participants completed several questionnaires during the study and were invited to join a focus group session. Results We started with a total of 96 older adults: 45 in the intervention group and 51 in the waitlist group. The mean age of the total group was 67.9 (SD = 8.5) years old and the group consisted of slightly more females (52.1%). Participants used LEAVES on average around five times during the ten week period. The participants had positive attitudes towards their experience with LEAVES, and on an individual level we noticed that for the majority LEAVES was helpful in decreasing their grief symptoms, depression or loneliness. Conclusions Implementing an e-mental health intervention for supporting older adults while processing the loss of their spouse is promising. In our paper, we propose several recommendations for future e-mental health interventions which are important to take into account to ensure their sustainable implementation.