Older Adults' Experiences in a Web-Based Intervention for Loneliness.

Older adults may be vulnerable to loneliness due to natural and age-related transitions. Lonely older adults are at an increased risk of adverse health outcomes due to their loneliness, including cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of vulnerable older adults in a web-based loneliness intervention. Older adult participants in a web-based loneliness intervention ( = 24) participated in semi-structured interviews eliciting feedback about their experience in the program and perceived outcomes. Participants' responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants reported fewer negative perceptions of their social skills and future social interactions, gaining new social skills, improved relationships, and increased confidence to initiate and maintain social contact. Findings suggest the efficacy of combining a web-based loneliness intervention with cognitive behavioral therapy, and provide implications for future web-based interventions for older adult populations.