University of Twente Student Theses
Exploring Motivations and Dropout Patterns in Internet-Based Interventions for Grief Following the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Qualitative Analysis
Schaffer, BSc Isabelle (2024) Exploring Motivations and Dropout Patterns in Internet-Based Interventions for Grief Following the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Qualitative Analysis.
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| Abstract: | During the COVID-19 pandemic, online interventions like the Grief Covid intervention have been used to counteract the risk of prolonged grief disorder (PGD). While online interventions, including those addressing grief, offer many benefits, dropout is a common problem. With the help of self-determination theory (SDT), which explains motivation and behaviour change based on the three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness, it is possible to explain the reasons of adherence and dropout in online interventions. Additionally, people’s attitudes towards technology could also have an influence on participation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to qualitatively assess how the SDT explains adherence to and dropout of the Grief COVID intervention, while also exploring how individuals’ attitudes toward technology impact these factors. Interview data were used from 14 participants who had taken part in the Grief COVID intervention and had either completed or dropped out. These were analysed using a mixed inductive-deductive thematic analysis based on the SDT and the three basic needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness, as well as a deductive approach to attitudes towards technology. Overall, four themes with a total of 13 sub-themes were identified. The results can be explained by the SDT, which identified clear factors for adherence and few for dropout. The desire for more human contact, flexibility, and a sense of benefit from the intervention were identified as significant factors. Familiarity with the technology and attitudes towards it also influenced participants’ behaviour, and should be seen as an additional factor next to the SDT. The results show possibilities for optimising adherence, which in turn could help to prevent dropouts in online interventions for people experiencing grief or PGD. Recommendations for an online intervention for grief management could be as follows, more human contact such as chat and videoconferencing with a psychologist and online support groups, as well as flexibility for participants to choose tasks, time and day. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/103193 |
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