Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of people with physical disabilities living in less-populated areas with regard to daily life, life philosophies and disabilities. We carried out this study in Nanmoku-mura, Gunma Prefecture and in Motegi-machi, Tochigi Prefecture. Twenty-seven persons cooperated in the research ; their average age was 68.0 years (range : 32-90 years).
The Ethnographic Interview was used in this study. We listened to their stories, coded their words, and repeated classification and unification of those words. Through the analysis, 17 Cover terms were selected : agriculture in life ; attachment to the land ; emotional affirmations to living in a less-populated area ; the conviction to maintain a lifestyle ; meanings to live ; growing old=longevity=aging of bodies ; strength based on experiences ; mind ruled by pessimistic feelings ; tradition and urbanization ; inconvenient lives and generosity-like evaluations ; old men and youths ; health and concern about health ; independence and loneliness ; old friends ; administrative supports ; sense of community ; and the function of the family. The 4 Domains that surfaced by further integration of these Cover terms were as follows :
1) Coexistence with nature
2) Growing old and living with disabilities
3) Consciousness of ambivalence
4) Mutual aid
Through an association of these 4 Domains, the Main theme ‘The society of the mature old age’ was derived.
Key words : health promotion, less-populated area, people with physical disabilities, life, quantitative study
