The feasibility of using photovoice as a loneliness intervention with older Myanmar migrants

Abstract

Loneliness has detrimental physical and mental health outcomes. To date, there are few studies on loneliness interventions in lower-resource settings. Based on participatory action research methods that are theoretically informed by the social relationship expectations framework, we developed a loneliness intervention called amanane using the photovoice method with older Myanmar migrants in northern Thailand. The aim of our study was to test the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of photovoice as an intervention for lonely older adults. Over 6 weeks, we coproduced 5 weekly workshops, individual interviews, and a photo exhibition with an older Myanmar migrant cofacilitator and nine participants (57–82 years old). The workshops focused on older people's care provisions. The qualitative evaluation entailed group discussions, interviews, and videos. Results indicated a perfect completion rate and high acceptability. Participants reported a reduction in loneliness due to opening up to each other through photography, feeling united despite cultural differences, and feeling valued by visitors attending the photo exhibition. Overall, photovoice may be a promising intervention for lonely older adults and has the potential to be tested in larger trials across diverse settings.