Value of social activities and prerequisites for continued participation of rural older adults: A qualitative study

• Published in: Nursing open Vol. 10; no. 5; pp. 3274 - 3284
• Main Authors: Onishi, Ryuta, Takashima, Risa, Saeki, Kazuko, Hirano, Michiyo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-05-2023; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Aging; Directors; Humans; Interviews; Japan; Nursing; older adults; Older people; Participation; Population; Qualitative Research; Quality of life; Rural areas; rural community; social activity; Social Behavior; social engagement; social participation; social values; Society; Japan; older adults; social values; social activity; rural community; social engagement; social participation
• ISSN: 2054-1058; 2054-1058
• DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1579

Aims
To explore the value of social activities and the prerequisites for continuous participation among rural older adults based on their experiences.
Design
Qualitative, descriptive design.
Methods
Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 older adults from voluntary community salons in a rural area in Japan. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist were used.
Results
Four values of social activities were identified: “Mutual benefit connectedness,” “Preventing and coping with aging,” “Making life brilliant ‘now’,” and “Building a safety net.” Three prerequisites for activities were identified: “Do not overreach,” “Do not infringe on personal territory,” and “Do not go against community norms.” Social activities provide rural older adults with reciprocity ties, coping with aging, enhanced daily lives, and a social safety net. Continued participation in rural social activities requires adherence to cultural norms and moderation of relationship distances. Community and public health nurses are expected to promote social activities that incorporate these values and adhere to these prerequisites.