Sense of security – searching for its meaning by using stories: a Participatory Action Research study in health and social care in Sweden

Abstract

The aim of this study was to make sense of the Swedish concept 'trygghet' by using stories from daily life in a Participatory Action Research project. In Sweden, attempts to implement core values to ensure high quality health and social care for older people are given high priority and concepts such as security and dignity are often used. As concepts are abstract they are difficult to transform into practical work. One group of six assistant nurses and one group of five Registered Nurses working in a municipality participated in Story Dialogue Method and four older women were interviewed. 'Trygghet' was found to be an internal sense - an intrinsic state based on faith and trust in oneself and others called Sense of security. External factors that strengthened Sense of security were to be part of a community, to recognize and be familiar with things and situations and to use various kinds of aids. A prerequisite for the professionals being able to support the care receivers adequately is that they have a sense of security themselves, and that they are allowed to operate in a system that facilitates for the care receivers to maintain trustworthy and reliable relations over time.