Hannigan, Caoimhe and Hanly, Paul and Kee, Frank and Lawlor, Brian and Holton, Eimile and Walsh, Cathal and Scharf, Thomas and Coen, Robert and Leatham, Vicky and Moynihan, Sean and Lane, Keith and McHugh Power, Joanna (2020) HALO: Study protocol for a single-case experimental design study evaluating the moderating impact of a befriending intervention on the association between loneliness and health in older adults. HRB Open Research, 3 (60). ISSN 2515-4826

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Abstract

ackground: Loneliness in later life is often addressed with befriending interventions, yet evidence for their effectiveness is limited. Meanwhile it is known that loneliness has a deleterious impact on health. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether a befriending service for older adults mitigates the impact of loneliness on health outcomes, and to identify mechanisms through which befriending interventions might impact upon health. Methods: A mixed methods design is used. The quantitative component utilises an AB single-case experimental design, to gather intensive longitudinal data. These data will be analysed using a generalised additive modelling approach. The qualitative component of the study uses semi-structured dyadic interviews, structured and analysed according to the principles of constructivist grounded theory. Findings will then be triangulated according to an existing mixed methods integration protocol. Discussion: This mixed methods design has the potential to inform national and international policy in relation to befriending interventions for older adults. In addition, there is the potential for study results to inform our theoretical understanding of the nature of the relationship between loneliness and health.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright: © 2020 Hannigan C et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. How to cite: Hannigan C, Hanly P, Kee F et al. HALO: Study protocol for a single-case experimental design study evaluating the moderating impact of a befriending intervention on the association between loneliness and health in older adults [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. HRB Open Res 2020, 3:60 (https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13104.1). Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04301167 (10th March 2020). Protocol version 1.1, 26th June 2020.
Keywords:	Loneliness; mixed methods; befriending; social support; older adults; single-case experimental design; generalised additive models; grounded theory;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	15292
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13104.1
Depositing User:	Joanna McHugh Power
Date Deposited:	19 Jan 2022 17:02
Journal or Publication Title:	HRB Open Research
Publisher:	f1000research
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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