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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| An exploration of the value and mechanisms of befriending for older adults in England | | Author(s) | Helen Lester, Nicki Mead, Carolyn Chew Graham |
| Journal title | Ageing and Society, vol 32, part 2, February 2012 |
| Pages | pp 307-328 |
| Source | http://www.journals.cambridge.org/aso |
| Keywords | Friendship ; Services ; Loneliness ; Isolation ; Social contacts ; Well being. |
| Annotation | Befriending services can be a useful intervention used to mitigate social isolation and loneliness in older adults. The aim of this study was to explore service users' experiences of befriending and to identify the key components of befriending. Interviews were conducted with 25 older adults who had used one of five different befriending services across England. Berkman's theoretical model of how individual social networks impact on health was used as a framework to help interpret the data. The findings suggest that befriending offers some compensation for loss of elective relationships from older adults' social networks, providing opportunities for emotional support and reciprocal social exchange through development of safe, confiding relationships. Good conversational skills and empathy were the foundation of successful relationships within which commonalities were then sought. Befrienders broadened befriendees' perspectives on life, particularly among older adults in residential care. Social engagement was a powerful mechanism of action, particularly in terms of connecting people back into the community, reinforcing meaningful social roles and connecting to a past life that had often been significantly disrupted by loss. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-120402007 A |
| Classmark | DS:SX: I: DV: TP: TOA: D:F:5HH |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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