open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/88723

Older rural people's perception of connectedness through a communication application : A qualitative descriptive study

英語

qualitative research

2022-03-30

John Wiley & Sons

Nursing & health sciences

24(1)

163-173

Connectedness among older people is essential for healthy communities, especially among rural populations where limited social interaction and associated health effects may be cause for concern. In this qualitative descriptive study, we explored older rural people's perception of connectedness through a communication application. The study assessed 10 participants (mean age = 76.2 years) living in rural Japan who regularly participated in a senior citizens' club. From July 2019 to January 2020, the participants used a social media application developed by our research team to meet the needs of older people. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Six themes representing older rural people's perception of connectedness were identified: (1) thoughtful consideration for members strengthened even without them meeting face-to-face, (2) encouragement received from familiar members, (3) joy in sharing daily routine with neighbors, (4) courage to advance through face-to-face interaction, (5) willingness to continue club membership, and (6) fear of disrupting club's harmony. Participants who used the application felt compensated for the lack of social interaction opportunities in rural settings and strengthened their existing relationships.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Kikuchi, M., Kamishima, T., Abe, H., Onishi, R., Takashima, R., & Hirano, M. (2022). Older rural people's perception of connectedness through a communication application: A qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & health sciences, 24(1), 163–173, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12908. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

1441-0745