Psychosocial Group Interventions for Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Older adults are facing complex, multifaceted psychosocial issues, such as loneliness, social isolation, financial stress, and cognitive decline, which crucially impact their mental health and quality of life. Group-based psychosocial interventions have gained recognition as valuable tools for strengthening peer interaction and collective healing. The review aims to map the important literature on psychosocial group interventions for older adults. Six electronic databases were searched from March to June 2025. Inclusion criteria are: psychosocial interventions within the last 10 years and group interventions in English research papers only. Review papers, conference proceedings, medical interventions, and individual interventions have been excluded. After the screening process, eight articles were identified as psychosocial group interventions for older adults from eight different countries. Each intervention is unique, and 90% of them effectively address the psychosocial needs of older people. The results are explained and grouped under three themes that have emerged from the research questions underlying the review. They are: (a) the efficacy of psychosocial group interventions on cognitive and mental well-being; (b) addressing social isolation, loneliness, and enhancing social connection; and (c) impact of environmental and socio-cultural contexts on older adults’ psychosocial interventions. A significant observation is the need for a structured intervention model to promote the well-being of older adults. This review provides a foundation for developing new insights into psychosocial interventions for older adults.