City Research Online

Abstract

The proportion of the population classified as older adults is increasing rapidly, coinciding with the growing digitisation of healthcare services. This raises important questions about the accessibility and suitability of digital interventions for this population within mental health. Despite the expansion of digital therapy, little is known about how older adults experience psychological therapy via video. This study employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore older adults lived experiences of video therapy. Eight participants were recruited and interviewed in semi-structured telephone interviews. Analysis of the data generated three overarching themes. The first theme, ‘Fearing Loss’, describes participants’ experiences of personal loss and their anxieties about connecting with the therapist. The second theme, ‘Un(Safe)’, highlights the variable experience of psychological safety and trust, alongside how participants anchored themselves within session. The third theme, ‘Seen Through a Screen’, explores experiences of invisibility as an older adult and the ways in which closeness and reassurance through the video medium fostered a sense of being seen. These findings highlight the importance of visibility and relational connection in video therapy, which are explored in relation to the I-Thou framework. The discussion also considers contextual factors, including Existential Ageing, to illuminate the uniqueness of older adults’ experiences. The strengths and limitations of the study are reviewed, alongside clinical implications and directions for future research.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Psychology & Neuroscience School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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