Recruiting Anxious Older Adults for a Psychotherapy Outcome Study

Authors: Wetherell J.L.; Gatz M.

Source: Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, Volume 7, Number 1, January 2001 , pp. 29-38(10)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Although anxiety is a serious problem among the elderly, very little research has been conducted with anxious older adults. One reason is that although anxiety disorders overall are more common than depression in older community samples, many specific anxiety disorders are relatively rare. Furthermore, anxious older adults often do not seek treatment or otherwise come to the attention of mental health researchers. This paper describes the first year of recruitment efforts for a treatment outcome study of psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adults at least 55 years old. Successful methods included collaborations with hospital-based health education programs and senior centers, as well as notices in local and senior newspapers. Less successful methods included radio public service announcements and mailings to residential facilities, churches and synagogues, and physicians. Recommendations for recruitment of anxious older adults into research projects are discussed.

Keywords: aged; attrition; elderly; generalized anxiety disorder; GAD; outreach; retention; treatment

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, SGM 501, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-1061

Publication date: 2001-01-01