PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 1916859

Interviewing institutionalized elders: threats to validity.

M West·E Bondy·S Hutchinson
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

In the course of an ethnographic study of an intergenerational Geriatric Remotivation Program in a Southeastern U.S. nursing home, we encountered difficulties in interviewing institutionalized elders that threatened the validity of the data. The purpose of this paper is to explicate the difficulties and to recommend strategies for overcoming them. Four main clusters of elder characteristics threatened the validity of data: (1) physical characteristics; (2) cognitive characteristics; (3) affective characteristics; and (4) personal characteristics. Problematic data were categorized as "insufficient," "unclear," "nice" and "emotionally charged." Strategies for increasing validity when interviewing impaired institutionalized elders included increasing the sample size, returning to the setting frequently, lengthening observation periods, recognizing the value of stories, recognizing the value of socializing, using videotapes, collecting both interview and observation data, and having elders view and respond to videotaped recordings.

Explore related subjects

AffectAgedClinical Nursing ResearchCognitionHumansInstitutionalizationInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedPainPersonalityJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

M West, E Bondy, S Hutchinson. 1991. Interviewing institutionalized elders: threats to validity.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1991.tb00664.x

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed1992

[Measuring work capacity in rheumatic diseases: functional disability, pain, pain-related cognitions and affects].

Rheumatic diseases, particularly those affecting the back, cervical spine, and the joints, are widespread in the general population. The general costs, especially those associated with social medical services, show constant increases. Time and effectiveness lost from work due to back problems in the FRG accounted for most of the days off the job because of disability, time spent in the hospital or at a health spa facility. Therefore, the appropriate evaluation of the degree of disability plays an increasingly important role in the area of social benefits. Yet unambiguous and objective physical measurements of the disease and the degree of associated disability are lacking in most cases of rheumatic diseases. More attempts to address the subjective aspects of the disease should be included in such evaluations. For recent years, models of measurement have been developed and tested, which are suited to the multidimensional nature of rheumatic illnesses. It is recommended that these be introduced in routine use for physical evaluations.

Affect↗
PubMed1992

Neuropsychological functioning and sleep patterns in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To discover whether reported sleep-wake disturbances in the elderly (more frequent nocturnal awakenings, earlier waking and more day time naps) are associated with neuropsychological dysfunction. DESIGN AND SETTING: A sample of 124 residents of a retirement village complex were interviewed about their sleep patterns and given neuropsychological assessments. Reported sleep-wake difficulties were combined to form two variables, "night sleep" and "day sleep". Additional sleep variables analysed were reported sleep duration and time of wakening. Principal components analysis of the neuropsychological test scores yielded four factors: "general ability", "memory", "motor", and "cerebral efficiency". MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A correlation analysis was performed for sleep variables, neuropsychological factors and age, mood scale and scores on indices of participation in physical and passive activities. RESULTS: There was no correlation between "night sleep" and the factor scores derived from the neuropsychological tests. "Day sleep" was correlated with "cerebral efficiency" only. Age was correlated with the "memory" and "motor" factors, the latter also being associated with participation in physical activities. CONCLUSION: Night sleep problems are not associated with neuropsychological deficits in a non-clinic population.

Affect↗