Maintenance and Development of Social Connection by People with Long-term Conditions: A Qualitative Study

Amanda Wilkinson, Lucy Bowen, Elias Gustavsson, Simon Håkansson, Nicole Littleton, James McCormick, Michelle Thompson and Hilda Mulligan
Additional contact information
Amanda Wilkinson: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Lucy Bowen: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Elias Gustavsson: Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Simon Håkansson: Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Nicole Littleton: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
James McCormick: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Michelle Thompson: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Hilda Mulligan: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: Social connection is important for people’s health and well-being. Social isolation arising from a lack of meaningful connection with others can result in deterioration of well-being with negative consequences for health. For people living with multiple long-term conditions, the building and maintaining of social connection may be challenging. The aim of this study was to explore with people with long-term conditions how they perceive they maintain and develop social connections. We undertook semi-structured interviews with seventeen adults, and analyzed the data for themes. Themes were “Meaningful connection”, “Wherewithal for social connection” and “Impact of a major change in life course”. The findings suggest that social connection is valued, and facilitates meaningful ways to reciprocate support with others, thus enabling access to knowledge and resources for better health and well-being. However, people with long-term conditions can experience challenges to developing and maintaining social connectedness after a major change in life course. We suggest that healthcare providers are well placed to facilitate ways for people with long-term conditions to socially connect with others in their neighbourhood and community, and that this in particular be attended to after a major life change.

Keywords: social connection; long-term conditions; health; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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