Themes of togetherness. Examining space sharing sociality among older people

Eva Thulin and Bertil Vilhelmson

Social Science & Medicine, 2025, vol. 369, issue C

Abstract: Extensive research demonstrates a positive relationship between social participation and health and well-being in older adults. Yet, knowledge is scarce regarding the diverse practices older individuals employ when engaging with others in everyday life settings. For the purpose, we elaborate on the concept of togetherness to encapsulate the full spectrum of co-located activities. Togetherness embodies a spatiotemporal understanding of sociality, involving “being with” others in shared spaces, times, and projects. We empirically investigate how various forms of togetherness manifest in everyday life and explore the motivation behind immediate and more overarching projects and goals. Drawing on time-space diaries that inform in-depth interviews with 22 older adults (aged 68–85) in Gothenburg, Sweden, our findings reveal that practising everyday togetherness seldom is a standalone project with the explicit purpose of socializing. More often, sociality is integrated into projects with other primary, sometimes overlapping, goals such as maintaining everyday routines, providing structure and rhythm to daily life, breaking away from routines, thriving and feeling safe in a place, and seeking inspiration and creativity in life.

Keywords: Social participation; Everyday life; Co-location; Healthy ageing; Time-use diary; In-depth interview; Sweden (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117828

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