Exploring older adults' and their support system's perspectives of functional mental health difficulties in later life and the potential role of systematic family therapy (SFT) in (re-)constructing these narratives

Background: Due to gaps identified in geriatric mental health research (Frost et al., 2019; Javed, 2022; Peisah et al., 2021), there has been an identified need to focus research on various issues relating to older adult mental health (Javed, 2022).

Aims: This literature review aims to address a gap in this area by critically appraising and synthesising published qualitative research studies that gives insight into people’s experiences and perceptions of mental health in older age. It aims to answer the question “What are older adults and their support system’s experiences and perceptions of mental health difficulties in older age?”.

Methods: A systematic literature search of qualitative research studies exploring older adults and their support systems’ perceptions and experiences of mental health in older age was conducted. A meta-ethnographic approach to synthesis was adopted as this was deemed the most suitable approach to adopt in order to address this study’s aims.

Results: Six third-order line of argument statements were identified following the meta-ethnographical review. These are: mental health difficulties burdens both older adults and their support network; stigma and shame increases feelings of isolation and guilt; confusion surrounding experiences of mental health difficulties can lead to somatic descriptions of mental health symptoms; managing mental health difficulties is perceived as one’s own personal responsibility; active resistance as an attempt to reduce the negative impact of mental health difficulties; and the psychosocial, professional, and spiritual influences on older adults’ experiences of and attitudes towards mental health. Tentative links between these line of argument statements were also discussed.

Conclusions: Older adults and their family systems are negatively impacted by the older adults’ experience of mental health difficulties in a variety of ways (Camacho et al., 2018; Drake, 2013; Hinton et al., 2014; Murray et al., 2006). Clinical implications and directions for future research are therefore discussed.