ArticleDiscover mental health2025
Engagement with digital platforms and perspectives on WhatsApp based mental health self-help solution for older adults: a qualitative study from India.
Article in Discover mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Voices from Primary Care: A Needs Assessment Among Multidisciplinary Primary-Care Teams for a Health Promotion Model-Based E-Counseling Platform to Support Fall Prevention Among Older Adults in Indonesia.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Article
- The relationship between social media interaction quality and loneliness in older adults: the moderating role of perceived social support.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe population of older adults is increasing globally and in India. Depression, anxiety, social isolation, and loneliness commonly impact their well-being. Technology is being explored to improve access to mental health resources, with digital self-help platforms emerging as a promising approach. Given WhatsApp's wide use in India, it holds potential for delivering such support to older adults. This study explored the perspectives of urban Indian older adults on mental health and well-being needs, experiences with digital platforms, and views on a proposed WhatsApp-based self-help platform for mental health.
methodsA qualitative approach was used, involving 19 older adults (aged 55 +), with at least eight years of formal education, and fluency in English/Hindi/Kannada. Individual interviews were conducted, and participants rated potential self-help topics. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) documented distress levels. Data were analyzed using framework analysis.
resultsFive major themes emerged: 'Changes with Ageing', 'Protective Factors for Mental Health', 'Interactions with Digital Platforms', 'Views on WhatsApp', and 'Additional Suggestions'. Older adults reported using digital platforms for recreation, maintaining health, and socializing. They expressed openness to a WhatsApp-based mental health self-help platform with accurate content, simple interface, integration with health services, and access to support. Over three-fourths of participants rated all proposed self-help topics as important.
conclusionThe study highlights the potential acceptability and usability of a WhatsApp-based self-help platform for urban Indian older adults, with participants emphasizing the need for credible content, simplicity, support-access, and relevant self-help content. It offers valuable insights for developing WhatsApp based platforms to support mental health and well-being of older adults.
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Registered trials
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