Effect of a psychological intervention and an mHEALTH resource to promote well-being in older adults

Abstract

This research presents the effect of a cognitive-behavioral intervention with components of positive psychology and an mHealth resource (WhatsApp) to promote psychological well-being in older adults, using Carol Ryff’s model of psychological well-being. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the intervention. It is a quantitative study with a pre-experimental design involving a single group, assessed with pretest and posttest measures, and a descriptive-correlational scope. The sampling was non-probabilistic, based on purposive sampling. Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale was applied and supplemented with sociodemographic variables. The population consisted of 155 older adults, invited through an open call in Hidalgo, Mexico. The intervention was implemented through a six-session, in-person workshop course, with weekly follow-up using the mHealth resource (WhatsApp). The results revealed statistically significant differences in the total scores of Psychological Well-Being (z = −3.370, p = .001), Hedonic Well-Being (z = −3.116, p = .002), and Eudaimonic Well-Being (z = −3.559, p = .001). Although aging has been widely studied, there is a lack of interventions in Mexico that simultaneously integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques with components of positive psychology and mHealth tools such as WhatsApp to promote psychological well-being in older adults. It is therefore concluded that the intervention shows significant and consistent effects in promoting psychological well-being among older adults, reinforcing its potential as a valuable tool in the field of healthy behavioral sciences.