Nurses' Perspectives on Contributing Factors to Hospitalized Older Adults' Self-Neglect: A Qualitative Study

The incidence of self-neglect among hospitalized older adults is relatively high, yet there is lack of research on the factors that influence this phenomenon. The current study aimed to explore the factors that influence self-neglect among hospitalized older adults from the perspective of nurses.

Purposive sampling was used to select 15 nurses working in geriatric wards of four comprehensive hospitals in southeastern China, from November to December 2020. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Content analysis was used to summarize, analyze, and refine themes derived from interviews.

Four main themes and 10 subthemes were found. The four main themes included Individual Characteristics, Health Beliefs and Perceptions, Physical Functional Status, and Social Support Systems.

A comprehensive assessment should be conducted on the physical, psychological, social, and medical aspects of hospitalized older adults to identify high-risk individuals who are prone to self-neglect.