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Generational caregiver connectedness and social technology: A qualitative study
Janet S Pohl1, Hanne R Dolan1, Jude G Kolodisner2
1Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 550 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.
Background:
Social disconnection is associated with all-cause mortality and multiple morbidities. Varying disconnection across caregiver generations may be explained by varying social technology use. Insight into social technology use across caregiver generations is lacking.
Objective:
To describe the experiences of caregiving and enhanced connectedness through social technology for three generations of family caregivers for chronically ill older adults.
Methods:
Guided by the Convoy Model, this qualitative descriptive study sampled caregivers of older adults with chronic illness across three age groups representing three generations. Three focus groups were conducted, audio recorded and transcribed. Life course and thematic analysis approaches were utilized.
Results:
Consistent across generations, caregivers reported altered connectedness as part of their caregiving experience. However, the need for connectedness varied across generations as well as preferences for social technology.
Conclusions:
Theme variation for each group indicated distinct social expectations reflecting life course stages. Impact on future intervention development is discussed.
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