While effective in reducing infections, social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak may carry ill effects on the mental health of older adults. The present study explored the efficacy of a short-term digital group intervention aimed at providing seniors with the tools and skills necessary for improving their coping ability during these stressful times. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults aged between 65 aged 90 (M_age = 72 years, SD = 5.63) were randomized to either an intervention group (n = 64) or a wait-list control group (n = 18). The intervention comprised online guided sessions in small groups in which behavioral and cognitive techniques were learned and practiced via the ZOOM videoconferencing platform. Loneliness and depression levels were measured pre- and post-participation. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the intervention group in terms of both loneliness and depressive symptoms, compared with the control group. Results of mixed effect models indicated a medium ameliorative effect on loneliness (d = 0.58), while that for depressive symptoms was only marginally significant and smaller in size (d = 0.43). Our intervention presents a relatively simple and effective technique that can be efficiently utilized to support older adults both during emergencies such as the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as in more routine times for older adults who live alone or reside in remote areas.

虽然可以有效减少感染，但 COVID-19 爆发期间的社交距离可能会对老年人的心理健康产生不良影响。本研究探讨了短期数字团体干预的功效，旨在为老年人提供必要的工具和技能，以提高他们在这些压力时期的应对能力。共有 82 名年龄在 65 岁至 90 岁之间的社区居民（M_年龄 = 72 岁，SD = 5.63）被随机分为干预组（n  = 64）或等待名单对照组（n  = 18）。干预措施包括小组在线指导课程，通过 ZOOM 视频会议平台学习和练习行为和认知技术。在参与之前和之后测量孤独和抑郁水平。结果表明，与对照组相比，干预组在孤独感和抑郁症状方面都有显着改善。混合效应模型的结果表明，对孤独感有中等的改善作用（d  = 0.58），而对抑郁症状的改善作用仅轻微显着且程度较小（d  = 0.43）。我们的干预措施提供了一种相对简单而有效的技术，可以有效地用于在 COVID-19 爆发等紧急情况下以及在独居或居住在偏远地区的老年人的正常情况下为老年人提供支持。