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http://dx.doi.org/10.15207/JKCS.2018.9.4.085

A study on the experience of loneliness in elderly living alone: Focus group interview  

Kim, Doo Ree (College of Nursing, Konyang University)
Kang, Kyung-hee (Dept. of Dental Hygiene, Konyang University)
Lee, Byunglim (Dept. of Liberal Education, Konyang University)
Kim, Kwang-Hwan (Department of Hospital Management, Konyang University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korea Convergence Society / v.9, no.4, 2018 , pp. 85-91 More about this Journal
Abstract
This is a qualitative research that was carried out to analyze the experience of loneliness of the elderly people living alone using the result of focus group interviews. This study conducted interviews with 28 subjects in the Senior Welfare Center of D city. For the purpose, 28 persons were divided into 5 groups, and interviews were carried out with each group for 50-70 minutes. and the voluntary character of research participation was sufficiently explained. As a result of the research, three topic collections consisting of 'Unavoidable lonesomeness', 'Inevitable death', and 'Acceptance of my life' and seven subjects, which consist of 'Absence of spouse', 'Independence for children', 'Death of neighbor (friend)', 'Fear of death left alone', 'Laying down', 'Taking care of my health', and 'Soothing loneliness in my own way', were derived. The elderly persons living alone who participated in this research expressed their feeling of unavoidable loneliness and their effort to overcome the loneliness. Based on the findings of this research, it is hoped that diverse plans to overcome psychological loneliness of the elderly people living alone will be developed.
Keywords
Elderly people living alone; Loneliness; Lonesomeness; Death; Acceptance; Interview; Convergence;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 7  (Citation Analysis)
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