Differences in Perceptions of Social Interactions among Frail Elderly Residents on Remote Islands Based on the Number of Interpersonal Contacts

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the differences in perceptions of social interactions between frail older adults living on remote islands who have many interpersonal contacts and those who have few such contacts. Further, it aimed to investigate and gain deeper insights into long-term care prevention activities.

Methods: Using the Japanese version of the shortened Lubben Social Network Scale (0-30 points), we conducted a survey with 94 respondents. Based on the results, four individuals with 20 or more points (high-contact group) and seven individuals with 11 or fewer points (low-contact group) were selected for follow-up semi-structured interviews.

Results: In the high-contact group, the themes of “joy of interacting with close contacts,” “mutual consideration with contacts,” and “gratitude towards contacts” were extracted. In the low-contact group, the themes of “loneliness and sense of crisis living in a declining community,” “difficulty in mutual understanding with others,” and “gratitude towards others” were extracted.

Discussion: Although the perceptions of social interactions differed between the high- and low-contact groups, “gratitude towards others” was a common theme in both groups. For long-term care prevention activities, the number of social interactions should be increased to prevent the transition from loneliness to isolation.