Publications by authors named "L Coll-Planas"
Background: Loneliness is related to worse mental health, particularly in people with poor social support. The COVID-19 pandemic altered our lives and ways of social interaction, especially among vulnerable populations such as older adults.
Methods: We designed a group-based psychosocial online intervention for older adults (≥ 65 years) facilitated by gerontologists addressing loneliness consisting of: (i) sharing experiences and promoting peer support to overcome feelings of loneliness and (ii) increasing the chances of establishing successful social relationships.
Background: Loneliness, a major public health concern, could be alleviated through social interventions with nature contact as a primary component. "Friends in Nature" is a complex nature-based social intervention designed to be implemented as part of "Reimagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces" (RECETAS). This project aims to alleviate loneliness and promote health-related quality of life in six different geographic areas worldwide.
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- * 1360 older adults (65+) from four European countries participated, comparing three groups: ERS with SMS, ERS alone, and a control group.
- * While increases in functional capacity were noted after four months favoring the ERS-SMS group, these differences were minimal and not maintained in the long term, suggesting that the benefits of adding SMS were uncertain.
Recognition of the health benefits of nature contact has increased. Simultaneously, growing numbers of people worldwide experience loneliness. There is a movement towards prescribing nature-based activities to improve/promote social connections, health, and quality of life.
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- * The study involved 162 lonely participants who engaged in a weekly nature-based program for nine weeks, while 157 others received standard care; their health, loneliness, and wellbeing were assessed before and after the intervention.
- * Results showed a typical participant age of 83, with most dealing with co-morbidities; about 57% of those in the nature program reported reduced loneliness, and 96% would recommend the intervention to others.