Experiences Of Adults Research Articles

The lived experience of Iranian adults from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)—A qualitative study

The lived experience of Iranian adults from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)—A qualitative study

Resilience Amidst Adversity: Experiences of Black Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The paucity of research and policy on the impact of COVID-19 on the experiences of Black older adults in Canada and around the world has intensified the enduring impacts of racism on their health and well-being. To bridge this gap, our study explored the mental health of Black older adults in Montreal during the early period of the pandemic. Using an Afro-emancipatory mixed-method research design, we collected and analyzed data from three sources: a survey, focus group interview with service providers from Black community organizations, and individual interviews with Black older adults. Our findings reveal that Black older adults struggled with mental health challenges, including loss, grief, and intergenerational tensions, and encountered systemic barriers in accessing services. Despite these adversities, participants demonstrated remarkable resilience, drawing upon their faith and community networks for support. This study illuminates the complex experiences of Black older adults during the pandemic and underscores the imperative of addressing mental health and systemic barriers. Understanding ongoing challenges is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies that promote long-term resilience and equitable healthcare for Black older adults.

The Experience of Adults' Family Caregivers Using Home Care Services: A Scoping Review.

To review the experiences of family caregivers using home care services, the perception of home care services and the positive and negative effects on family caregivers. A scoping review of the literature was undertaken using JBI guidance. Databases were searched in November 2023, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure). Eligible articles included peer-reviewed literature describing experience using home care services. Reviewers screened titles and abstracts of located sources, and to screen full-text articles. A table was used to extract data and synthesise results. We found that 22 articles met the inclusion criteria, most of which were published since 2010 and this study found inconsistent findings across studies of the impact of home care services on care burden. In addition, family caregivers still have negative experiences in the process of use, such as the difficulty in obtaining service information, believing that the service duration and content cannot meet their needs, and the lack of continuity of care is the most involved negative experience. Current home care services cannot fully meet the needs of family caregivers. Family caregivers have different expectations of policies, institutions and nursing staff. Future home care service practices should fully consider the unmet needs of caregivers and provide them with higher-quality nursing services. This study provides new evidence that there are still unmet needs for family caregivers in the use of home care services. Policymakers can prioritise funding for mixed research and longitudinal research, with the primary aim of understanding the dynamic changes in the needs of family caregivers in home care services to better provide more comprehensive information to health service providers. No patient or public contribution.

A User Typology for Digital Health Self-Management Technologies: A Qualitative Study of the Long-term User Experiences of Older Adults with a Digital Self-Management Platform for Multimorbidity (ProACT)

A User Typology for Digital Health Self-Management Technologies: A Qualitative Study of the Long-term User Experiences of Older Adults with a Digital Self-Management Platform for Multimorbidity (ProACT)

Young adults as paid care workers: gendered and classed transitions, trajectories, and experiences

ABSTRACT This article brings a youth lens to the study of care by empirically examining the accounts of young adults who pursue paid adult social care employment. The youth lens includes drawing on youth studies – particularly youth transitions – literature, which is combined with paid care work scholarship in a novel way. Young adults’ experiences as paid care workers are peripheral in youth studies and care work scholarship, despite this work’s increasing prevalence. The article examines the experiences of young adults pursuing, starting out and doing this work, through qualitative empirical research in Teesside, north-east England. A key finding of young people’s unpaid caring for adults influencing their pursuit of paid adult social care work is identified. The article contributes to understanding of youth transitions, particularly in relation to care work, and offers insights regarding the reproduction and sustainability of the paid adult social care workforce. It augments the growing sociological literature of Teesside [Shildrick, T., R. MacDonald, C. Webster, and K. Garthwaite. 2012. Poverty and Insecurity: Life in Low-Pay, No-Pay Britain. Bristol: Policy Press], and converses with work that foregrounds care work’s gendered and classed dimensions [Skeggs, B. 1997. Formations of Class and Gender: Becoming Respectable. London: Sage; Stacey, C. L. 2011. The Caring Self: The Work Experiences of Home Care Aides. Ithaca: Cornell University Press].

Pain Management Among Older Farsi and Azeri Speaking Immigrant Adults With Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Interpretive Approach.

Pain is a major public health issue in the United States. The ability to communicate the severity of pain with healthcare providers is crucial to receiving appropriate pain management. Many factors can limit this ability, including limited proficiency in the language spoken by providers. This body of research suggests gaps in the multidimensional approach to pain management for older adults with limited English proficiency (LEP). In this study, we describe the lived experiences of pain management of older adults with LEP living with chronic pain in the United States. We used a qualitative interpretive approach with semi-structured interviews from nineteen Farsi and Azeri-speaking older adults with LEP and chronic pain to describe the lived experiences of older adults with LEP. Participants relied on alternative medicine to manage their pain and reported fears of becoming dependent on prescription pain medications. Some reported poor physician-patient rapport and felt unseen by healthcare providers, and all reported language barriers even with the use of translators. Farsi and Azeri-speaking older adults with LEP and chronic pain felt the US healthcare system ignored their social, cultural, and linguistic needs. Pain management training for healthcare providers should address language barriers and include cultural competency.

What are the perceptions and experiences of adults using mobile applications for self-management in diabetes? A systematic review

ObjectivesDiabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that entails significant burdens to patients, caregivers and society at large. While self-management behaviours like healthy eating and monitoring of blood glucose help to...

Influence of User Involvement on the Personal Empowerment of Participants

ABSTRACT Older adults are increasingly involved in technology developments. At the same time, little is known about the extent to which the people involved can benefit from user involvement. The aim of this study was to record the subjective experiences of older adults in user-centered app development and thus to investigate the impact of user involvement on the participants at an individual level. To this end, problem-centered individual interviews were conducted with four adults: Two volunteers and two older adults living in a nursing home. The results show that typical empowerment-related outcomes such as increased competence, recovery of existing interests and competences, a more positive attitude toward life and even encouragement for further social engagement were generated. However, there are differences between the volunteers and the older adults living in the nursing home that reinforce the context-dependency of personal empowerment. The results of this study confirm the findings of other studies that older people, including those living in nursing homes, can participate in user involvement. At the same time, the results show that it is important to recognize that people react differently to user involvement and have different needs depending on the context in which they live.

Providing appropriate health and social care for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system of England and Wales: a thematic analysis of prisoner and staff interview data

BackgroundThe number of older adults entering the criminal justice system is growing. Approximately 8% of older prisoners in England and Wales have suspected dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and experience difficulties in everyday functioning, and disruption to their daily life. At present, no specific dementia/MCI care pathway has been implemented that is applicable and appropriate for use across different prisons in England and Wales. The aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of older adults with dementia/MCI in prison, and a range of key stakeholders, around the day-to-day issues faced by people with dementia/MCI and prison, healthcare, and third sector staff regarding the delivery of support for individuals with dementia/MCI.MethodsThirty-two semi structured interviews were conducted with prison, local authority, and healthcare staff; peer supporters; third sector care providers; and individuals with dementia/MCI themselves, across five establishments, to provide multidimensional perspectives of dementia/MCI in criminal justice settings. The data obtained during interviews were thematically analysed.ResultsFrom the data, six key themes emerged: (I) ethical concerns around trial, sentencing and detainment for people with dementia/MCI; (II) An unforgiving prison system, providing physical and social environments incompatible with supporting individuals with dementia/MCI; (III) An unprepared workforce requiring training in dementia/MCI. (IV) A lack of collaboration leading to sub-optimum management of the support needs of people with dementia/MCI in prison; (V) Peer support ‘plugging the gap’; and (VI) staff ‘hands tied behind back’.ConclusionsResults point towards a pressing need to develop more appropriate support systems for individuals with dementia/MCI throughout the criminal justice system. Ethical concerns around the judicial process for individuals with diminished cognitive capacity must be considered. Prison governors should examine ways to make the living environment more appropriate for these individuals, and a joined-up collaborative approach to health and social care should be adopted. Staff must be appropriately trained to support and identify individuals with dementia/MCI. Peer support schemes require formal evaluation, and training/oversight of these schemes should be comprehensive.

Outcome of Screening Questions for Temporomandibular Disorders and Related Treatment in Adult Patients Attending the Public Dental Service.

Approximately 30% of the adult population experiences symptoms under the concept of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). To identify patients with TMD who may require further evaluation, three screening questions (3Q/TMD) have been introduced. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of self-reported TMD and the amount of treatment received by patients in the Public Dental Service in Stockholm and how many were referred to an orofacial pain specialist. Health declarations from 402 012 patients 18 and older were included. Answers to the 3Q/TMD, gender, performed treatment, and referrals were extracted from the patients' records. The prevalence of affirmative answers to 3Q/TMD was 4.6% and higher in the 20-29 age group compared to the 60-69 group. Affirmative answers in general led to more treatment, and an affirmative answer to Q1 gave the highest probability of treatment (OR 5.13; 4.87, 5.41) with occlusal splint therapy being the most common. Age did not significantly predicting the amount of treatment (p = 0.05), although there was a tendency towards less treatment in older age groups. In total, 0.74% of the study population were referred to an orofacial pain specialist, with a higher probability of referral for those who answered affirmatively (p < 0.001). The prevalence of self-reported TMD among patients in the Public Dental Service aligns with findings from similar studies. Patients who answered affirmatively to one or more of the screening questions were more likely to receive treatment or a referral. The 3Q/TMD effectively identifies patients who may benefit from further evaluation and referral, although the rate of treatment remains low.

Experiences of change following a blended intervention for adults with ADHD and emotion dysregulation: a qualitative interview study

BackgroundEmotion dysregulation commonly co-occurs with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leading to a range of negative outcomes. While psychological interventions have shown promise in bringing about positive changes in emotional and cognitive domains, there is still limited knowledge on the subjective experiences of change among the participants in these interventions.AimThe present study explores the experiences of adults with ADHD who had participated in a blended digital and face-to-face intervention aimed at improving emotion dysregulation. The study focuses on understanding their experiences of change and identifying contributors to change.MethodsA total of 9 adults with ADHD participated in individual semi-structured, in-depth interviews following their participation in the intervention. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe thematic analysis resulted in three core themes. The first theme, ‘perceiving change’, represents changes that the participants experienced, with four subthemes: 1a) being in control, 1b) feeling aware, 1c) accepting oneself and one’s emotions and 1d) gaining insight and knowledge. The second theme, ‘supporting change’, captures factors that supported the participants’ changes, with five subthemes: 2a) acquiring skills, 2b) being in it together, 2c) therapist guidance, 2d) finding motivation 2e) putting it into practice. Lastly, the third theme, ‘sustaining change’, includes aspects important to maintain change, with two subthemes: 3a) working consistently and 3b) giving it time.ConclusionsThe findings show that the participants experienced various changes related to the management of their emotions following their participation in the intervention. Change was perceived as a multifaceted process, supported by internal factors such as motivation and engagement, along with external factors such as support from the other group members and the therapists. Taken together, the findings from the study could be important to the development of psychological interventions for adults with ADHD and may provide valuable knowledge to clinicians and policymakers.Trial registrationRegistered on 21st November 2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05644028.

Unilateral Versus Bilateral Cochlear Implants in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study Across Multiple Hearing Domains.

The aim of this study was to assess the subjective experiences of adults with different cochlear implant (CI) configurations-unilateral cochlear implant (UCI), bilateral cochlear implant (BCI), and bimodal stimulation (BM)-focusing on their perception of speech in quiet and noisy environments, music, environmental sounds, people's voices and tinnitus. A cross-sectional survey of 130 adults who had undergone UCI, BCI, or BM was conducted. Participants completed a six-item online questionnaire, assessing difficulty levels and psychological impact across auditory domains, with responses measured on a 10-point scale. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the subjective experiences of the three groups. Patients reported that understanding speech in noise and tinnitus perception were their main concerns. BCI users experienced fewer difficulties with understanding speech in both quiet (p < 0.001) and noisy (p = 0.008) environments and with perceiving non-vocal sounds (p = 0.038) compared to UCI and BM users; no significant differences were found for music perception (p = 0.099), tinnitus perception (p = 0.397), or voice naturalness (p = 0.157). BCI users also reported less annoyance in quiet (p = 0.004) and noisy (p = 0.047) environments, and in the perception of voices (p = 0.009) and non-vocal sounds (p = 0.019). Tinnitus-related psychological impact showed no significant differences between groups (p = 0.090). Although speech perception in noise and tinnitus remain major problems for CI users, the results of our study suggest that bilateral cochlear implantation offers significant subjective advantages over unilateral implantation and bimodal stimulation in adults, particularly in difficult listening environments.

Perspectives and Experiences of Patients with Acute Kidney Injury: a Systematic Review

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher risk of mortality and progression to chronic kidney disease. The challenges and uncertainty in the diagnosis, self-management, and prevention of AKI can be distressing for patients. We aimed to perform a systematic review of qualitative studies/surveys that reported the perspectives and experiences of adults with AKI. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception to the 17th of January 2024. Thematic textual analysis was used to synthesize the findings. Results: We included 20 studies (10 qualitative studies, 10 surveys) involving 867 participants. We identified six themes: navigating the unknown (an unexpected and unfamiliar diagnosis; tossed about in a fragmented system; dismissed and vulnerable at discharge); impaired life participation, relationships and wellbeing (limiting ability to do daily activities; straining relationships); unbearable and unsustainable treatment burden (adding strain on family members; financial pressure due to medical expenses; cumulative stress of ongoing monitoring); uncertain if recovery is attainable (possible permanence of kidney damage; fear about nephrotoxic medications; terrified on the need for dialysis); less consequential than other health priorities (short-term and reversible; prioritizing other comorbidities and conditions); and empowered in managing own health (focusing on optimizing kidney health; gaining confidence in self-management; reassured with social and clinical support). Conclusions: Patients may be unaware of their AKI diagnosis and prognosis, feel that care is fragmented, and burdened by treatment. Providing education, alleviating treatment burden, and implementing a comprehensive model of care may help to address the needs of patients with AKI leading to better outcomes.

Evaluating Trends in Interior Design Strategies and Their Impact on the Emotional Experience of Older Adults

Evaluating Trends in Interior Design Strategies and Their Impact on the Emotional Experience of Older Adults

"Many old people taking care of old people": Experiences of older adults after Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican population has presented demographic changes resulting in a greater proportion of older adults than almost any other country in the world, with an estimated 28% of the total population being over 60 years of age. A key public health issue in Puerto Rico (PR) is older adults' mental health and wellbeing. Located in the Caribbean, PR is prone to natural hazards such as hurricanes, which are a known threat to older adults' overall health and wellbeing. However, the needs of older adults in PR and their mental health have been largely neglected, especially in less visible and marginalized rural areas. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the challenges and needs of older adults following Hurricane María in the rural towns of Adjuntas and Castañer, PR. We implemented an exploratory qualitative research design informed by the principles of Liming methodology. We used semi-structured interviews to gather data and analyzed it using thematic analysis. A total of 25 participants engaged in our interview process including older adults (n = 15) and community caregivers and leaders that provide services to older adults (n = 10). We present three main themes regarding older adults' experiences after Hurricane María: 1) Challenges to wellbeing (i.e, loneliness, lack of resources), 2) Relational solidarity (i.e., communal support, equitable resource sharing) and 3) La brega (i.e., adaption and autogestión). Older adults in Adjuntas and Castañer addressed the emergent challenges after Hurricane María such as loneliness and lack of resources by relying on their communities. These findings highlight the role of community support as a key component to understand and foster older adults' wellbeing following a natural hazard.

"Lack" and "Finally": A Qualitative Analysis of Barriers and Facilitators in Rare Disease Healthcare.

Background: This study explored the experiences of adults with diverse rare diseases (RDs) and RD caregivers with barriers and facilitators to healthcare access in the United States (US), including during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their recommendations for improving access. Results: Adults with RDs and parents/caregivers to children with RDs (N = 1128) completed open-ended survey items. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. The primary theme identified regarding barriers to healthcare was "lack"; participants reported challenges in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, effective management/treatment, health insurance coverage, and social support. The primary theme identified regarding facilitators was "finally"; participants reported a need for persistence to access a diagnosis, RD experts, as well as social support and advocacy. Recommendations for improving healthcare for RDs mirrored the barriers and facilitators identified, including improving knowledge/awareness of RDs and investing in RD research that could improve diagnosis and treatment. Participants' healthcare experiences varied widely during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some reporting that telehealth improved care and others reporting disruption due to telehealth. Conclusions: Even though individual diagnoses are rare, there are shared challenges to healthcare access and common opportunities for improvement. Policy recommendations regarding RD healthcare focus on improving affordable and timely access to knowledgeable providers, diagnosis, and medications/treatments.

Exploring the interface of religion, infertility and assisted reproduction: experiences of Pacific Christian adults in Aotearoa New Zealand

Religion contributes to the identity, well-being, and life satisfaction of many people globally, however, its traditional stance on infertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can conflict with individuals’ personal reproductive aspirations and desire for a family. As the fertility rates of certain ethnic and religious groups decline, it is essential to discuss the interface between religion, infertility and ART, to understand how to best navigate the infertility journeys of proclaimed Christians. This article contextualises this discussion in the experiences of eight Pacific Christian adults living with infertility and/or accessing ART in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants expressed the importance of having family members or a partner with them on their infertility journey. Although their religious beliefs elicited a sense of shame and hindered their confident participation in ART services, religion also provided access to a supportive community and a strong sense of hope. Culture was another significant influence on their infertility journeys but could be burdensome and a source of internal conflict. Improving ART strategies for service engagement with Pacific communities is an important first step towards ensuring these services are accessible and responsive to individuals’ cultural and religious needs.

Lived Experiences of Self-Care in Older Adults with Lymphoma Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatments During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: To be diagnosed and treated for cancer can be a distressing experience, and it can require individuals to engage in self-care strategies to cope with the situation. The self-care experiences of older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand remain rarely studied. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of self-care among older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenology research design was used. It involved in-depth interviews with nine older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy. Data analysis utilized van Manen's approach, and trustworthiness was ensured by adhering to Lincoln and Guba's criteria. Results: This study revealed that the lived experience of self-care among older adults with lymphoma receiving chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic encompasses five lifeworlds within the lived body, addressing aspects of (1) thumjai and (2) continuing to fight cancer. Lived relations means trusting healthcare providers and holding on together. Lived time reflects being aware of the natural path of life. The concept of lived space encompasses staying safe at home and staying cautious. Lived things reflect (1) accepting one's own karma and (2) living economically. Conclusions: The findings enhance the understanding of self-care experiences among older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Asian context. The findings can inform the development of a person-centered nursing intervention tailored for older persons that emphasizes cultural aspects.

Mary Main's contribution to our attachment research in Bielefeld and Regensburg: personal and professional memories

ABSTRACT Our memories reflect professional meetings and our private relationship with Mary Main for over more than 50 years, working, travelling jointly, and celebrating together. Klaus met Mary Main at Mary Ainsworth’s lab in 1973 in Baltimore. Mary Main’s and our own longitudinal studies both started at the same time in which attachment research became a focus of several research groups. Still unpublished research results were eagerly shared. Mary supported our wider view of attachment by emphasizing the importance of exploratory play, enthusiasm, expression, and quality of communication. She also explored infants’ unexpected avoidance of their mothers. Some infant’s resisted traditional classification and were described as disorganized/ disoriented by her. Later in Regensburg, Mary trained our research group in assessing memories of attachment experiences of young adults. When Klaus retired in 2003, Mary gave a warm review of a long time of mutual devotion in the service of attachment development.

Navigating the passage of time: exploring social bonds and ambiguity in institutional older adults

Institutionalisation marks a significant transition for older adults, often accompanied by a multitude of challenges encompassing ageing, uncertainty and social dynamics. This qualitative study delves into the lived experiences of institutional older adults, focusing on the intricate interplay between ageing processes, the formation and maintenance of social bonds and the negotiation of ambiguity within institutional settings. Prior to moving into an old-age home, many older adults rely on long-established social networks. However, institutionalisation often disrupts these networks, creating a need for older adults to form new connections within the facility. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the research elucidates the multifaceted nature of ageing experiences, revealing how older adults navigate the passage of time amid shifting social landscapes and ambiguous circumstances. Findings underscore the centrality of social capital in buffering the effects of uncertainty and fostering resilience among institutional older adults. The themes that emerge highlight the importance of social connections in providing emotional support, practical assistance and a sense of belonging, which serve as critical resources in adapting to institutional life. Moreover, the study illuminates the ways in which older adults actively engage in sense-making processes, renegotiating identities and priorities in light of institutionalisation. By examining these experiences, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of ageing in institutional contexts, emphasising the significance of social relationships in promoting wellbeing and adjustment. Insights gleaned from this study have implications for the development of interventions aimed at enhancing social support networks and fostering a supportive environment conducive to the holistic needs of institutional older adults.