Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Major
Nursing
Date of Defense
7-7-2026
Graduate Advisor
Brittania Phillips, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C
Committee
Sheila Grigsby, PhD, RN, MPH, APHN-BC
Melissia Robinson, MA
Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of older adults. This quality improvement project implemented an eight-week social intervention designed to reduce loneliness and enhance well-being through weekly sessions incorporating mindfulness exercises, gratitude journaling, and structured socialization activities. The intervention was delivered by nursing students to a sample of residents in a Midwestern independent living community. While most standardized measures of loneliness and mood did not show statistically significant changes, the project resulted in a statistically significant increase in social network engagement as measured by the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6). The findings suggest that group-based programming is an effective method for fostering social connections and improving perceived social support.
Recommended Citation
Huang, Rosa, "Enhancing Well-being: Implementing Weekly Social Interventions for Older Adults in Independent Living" (2026). Dissertations. 1613.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1613