Holton, Eimile and Fitzpatrick, Rachel and Maguire, Rebecca and Commins, Seán and Scharf, Thomas and Lawlor, Brian and Johnson, Natalie and Hannigan, Caoimhe and McHugh Power, Joanna (2021) Older Users of a Befriending Service in Ireland and the Maintenance of Personal Autonomy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (6). p. 2788. ISSN 1660-4601

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Abstract

In the Republic of Ireland (RoI), COVID-19 public health guidelines have been most restrictive for people aged 70 and over. Such individuals are most likely to avail of befriending services offered by a network of Irish organisations. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 guidelines on befriending service users, and to develop recommended adaptations to befriending services compatible with such guidelines. A qualitative constructivist grounded theory approach was taken to the study design and analysis, using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 11 participants by telephone between May 2020 and January 2021. Results show a grounded theory describing how older users of a befriending service maintained their personal autonomy in the face of strict government guidelines. Participants described living life as usual, often contravening guidelines, and how they chose to adapt to the situation, yielding both positive and negative outcomes. Some potential adaptations were discussed to the befriending service (including a preserved focus on the social and emotional functions of the befriending relationship, and the accommodation of collaborative decision making about communicative alternatives), but ultimately it was made clear that participants would tailor the services to their own preferences. Results have implications for befriending service design and delivery, and for public health officials who wish to support the health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Cite as:Holton, E.; Fitzpatrick, R.; Maguire, R.; Commins, S.; Scharf, T.; Lawlor, B.; Johnson, N.; Hannigan, C.; McHugh Power, J. Older Users of a Befriending Service in Ireland and the Maintenance of Personal Autonomy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2788. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph18062788
Keywords:	befriending; COVID-19; public health; grounded theory; older adults;
Academic Unit:	Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Human Health Institute
Item ID:	17142
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062788
Depositing User:	Rebecca Maguire
Date Deposited:	04 May 2023 10:38
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher:	MDPI
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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