This research explores the meaning that older persons ascribe to the friendships in which
they engage. Previous research mostly focuses on the strain that the older population
places on the self-reliant community. The older person is faced by many challenges, such
as sickness, loss of social and emotional support and death. Friendships serve as a
support for physical and emotional needs which could not always be addressed by the
family. The aim of this research is to explore the type of friendships in which older
persons prefer to engage and the meanings they assign to it. A qualitative study was
identified as the most appropriate method and focus groups and personal interviews were
used as methods of data collection. Data was analysed by means of thematic content
analysis. Findings indicated that different types of friendships exist and that different
meanings were attached to friendships. Meaning in friendships is promoted by
trustworthy friends who are able to form a deepened level of connection through the
support and the compassion they are able to give each other. The experience of
connection in friendships is furthermore enhanced through mobility, proximity and
technology that facilitate better emotional as well as physical support for the older
individual. Informal friendships with younger people ensure that older people are more
mobile and are able to maintain their friendships. It is also a great source of support in
cases where family members are not able to provide support, due to whatever reason.
Further exploration of the value of friendships is recommended, so as to plan more
specific intervention strategies. Some insights have already been gathered in this study
concerning the way in which mobility, proximity and modern technology can make it
possible to sustain a friendship. Further studies could explore ways to empower older
people through providing better mobility, proximity and the use of modem technology.
Such studies may also explore the needs which an old age home fulfils, such as improving the residents' access to one another, for mutual support. Proximity might be a
solution for the immobility experienced in the older community, and when older people
are taught to use modern technology they will be enabled to maintain their friendships
better. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1507 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Nel, Carmen |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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