Motivators and barriers to social participation in two Chinese long-term care institutions: A focus-group study

This study used focus group interviews with 40 older Chinese long-term care residents to explore their motivators
and barriers to social participation in institutional settings informed by their lived experience. Using
inductive thematic analysis, we found that motivators include pursuit of healthy ageing (better physical and
mental health) and pursuit of meaningful ageing (sense of achievement and being useful, increased connectedness
and realization of dreams from earlier life). The reported barriers illuminate structural components
such as life-course experiences, long-term care-related barriers and Chinese policy-related barriers. The discussion
highlights the importance of understanding the multidimensionality of motivators and barriers to
social participation. To promote healthy ageing among institutionalized residents, staff and policy makers
are recommended to initiate and support meaningful activities for residents. Residents’ individual dreams
and accumulated life-course disadvantages experienced long before admission to long-term care should also
be considered when devising effective interventions to increase residents’ level of social participation.
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication year:2022

Keywords:social participation long-term care China life-course barrier motivator focus group meaningful ageing healthy ageing, long-term care, China, meaningful ageing, healthy ageing, Life-course, barrier, motivator, focus group

Accessibility:Open