How do older adults understand and manage distress? A qualitative study.
BMC Fam Pract
; 21(1): 77, 2020 05 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32366270
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Distress is an expected emotional response to a negative life event. Experiences common in later life may trigger distress such as bereavement or loss of physical mobility. Distress is considered to be distinct to anxiety and/or depression and is not diagnostically labelled as a mental health problem. Older adults will often manage their own distress. Previous literature has focused on how younger adults self-manage mental health problems, however little research has explored the self-management strategies used by older people. There is a need to clarify the role of primary care in the context of distressed older adults who may consult healthcare services. This study seeks to address these gaps through qualitative methods.METHODS:
Keele University's ethical review panel approved this study. We recruited older adults who self-identified as distressed from community groups in North Staffordshire, England. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically using constant comparison methods. A patient and public involvement and engagement group contributed to development of the research questions and methods, and offered their perspectives on the findings.RESULTS:
After 18 interviews data saturation was achieved. Key themes were experiences of distress, actions taken, help-seeking from healthcare services and perceptions of treatments offered in primary care. Various forms of loss contributed to participants' distress. Participants initiated their own self-management strategies which included pursuing independent activities, seeking social support and attending community groups and church. Five participants reported having consulted a GP when distressed but described a lack of acceptable treatments offered.CONCLUSIONS:
To support older adults who are distressed, healthcare professionals in primary care should consider exploring how patients currently manage their mood problems, provide a broad range of information about potential management options and consider sign-posting older adults to community resources.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Apoio Social
/
Angústia Psicológica
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Ethics
Limite:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
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Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Fam Pract
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article