2024, Van Velsen, Lex, Schokking, Lotte, Siderakis, Eva, Knospe, Gloria-Mona, Brandl, Lena, Mooser, Bettina, Madörin, Sarah, Bilreiro Jacinto Braga, Ana Sofia, Gouveia, Afonso, Brodbeck, Jeannette

To support older mourners after the loss of their partner, LEAVES, an online self-help service that delivers the LIVIA spousal bereavement intervention, was developed. It integrates an embodied conversational agent and an initial risk assessment. Based on an iterative, human-centered, and stakeholder inclusive approach, interviews with older mourners and focus groups with stakeholders were conducted to understand their perspective on grief and on using LEAVES. Subsequently, the resulting technology and service model were evaluated by means of interviews, focus groups, and an online survey. While digital literacy remains a challenge, LEAVES shows promise of being supportive to the targeted end-users.

2022-11, Brodbeck, Jeannette, Bilreiro Jacinto Braga, Ana Sofia, Gouveia, Afonso, Mendonça, Nuno, Madörin, Sarah, Brandl, Lea, Schokking, Lotte, Rodrigues, Ana Maria, Gonçalves, Judite, Mooser, Bettina, Marques, Marta M, Isaac, Joana, Nogueira, Vasco, Matos Pires, Ana, Van Velsen, Lex

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and acceptance of a web-based self-help intervention to support the grief process of older adults who have lost their partner. It will compare the outcomes, adherence, and working alliance in a standardized format with those in a self-tailored delivery format and investigate the effects of age, time since loss, and severityof grief at baseline as predictors. Focus groups to understand user experience and a cost-effectiveness analysis will complementthe study.