‘I've lost my husband, my house and I need a new knee … why should I smile?’: Action research evaluation of a group cognitive behavioural therapy program for older adults with depression

Abstract

The current paper details an action research approach to developing and evaluating a group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) program for older adults (65+ years) experiencing depression. This approach allowed the development of a novel program and for each component of the program to be evaluated and modified in an iterative, developmental fashion – a particularly important, ethically responsive feature when working with vulnerable populations. Formative and summative evaluations allowed the identification of beneficial, cohort-specific elements of an intervention without compromising individual wellbeing. A mixed methods data design was used to triangulate multiple and repeated quantitative and qualitative measures; in essence, a formalisation of usual clinical practice. The outcomes from the pilot study will be discussed in the context of a methodology that uniquely facilitates microanalytic research while maintaining therapeutic accountability, making replication and program accountability available to all clinicians.

Keywords:

• Action research
• CBT
• evaluation
• group therapy
• mixed method
• older adult