Single Older Women Who Applied for the Giving Life More LUSTRE Course: Are They the Target Group That Was Aimed for?

Reducing loneliness amongst older people: a systematic search and narrative review

“…Twelve of the 17 studies in this review recorded the range of ages, with six identifying that their participants included those in their fifties (as young, in one case, as 52). As well as Creswell et al (2012), of the 10 studies that reported a mean average age, two others had populations with means of under 65 (Kremers et al, 2007 andMartina &Stevens, 2006). Whilst Tsai & Tsai (2011) did not record a mean average age, they identified that 48% of their sample were under 65.…”

“…Nine of the 17 articles reported on group interventions that aimed to enhance social support or tackle loneliness (Anstadt & Byster, 2009;Bell et al, 2011;Creswell et al, 2012;Gleibs et al, 2011;Iecovich & Biderman, 2012;Kremers et al, 2007;Martina & Stevens, 2006;Routasalo et al, 2009 andWinningham &Pike, 2007). Six studies used validated loneliness scales whilst the other three measured some form of social support or provision.…”

“…Five other studies reported on community based interventions. Kremers et al (2007) asked whether the researchers had identified the correct audience for their group intervention 'LUSTRE' programme (which focuses on positive self management and well-being). This followed on from a previous study (Kremers et al, 2006) which had not been identified through the systematic search, which had not revealed any statistically significant differences in loneliness reduction between the intervention and control groups, though both groups did report a reduction at the end of the six week programme (intervention p < 0.01; control p < 0.05) Routasalo et al's (2009) psychosocial group intervention recruited members to their groups through the explicit question, "Do you ever suffer from loneliness?"…”