Conversation Analytic Approach Applied toRemote Communication through SNS inLong-distance Caregiving

Abstract

　Recently, children’s caregiving for elderly parents living afar, so-called

long-distance Caregiving, has become a notable social issue. In long-distance

caregiving, communication between distant children and caregiving specialists

is important, and this communication is done not only through face-to-face interaction

but also remote interaction. This research focuses on the remote communication

between children and caregiving specialists in long-distance caregiving

through SNS, making use of the “Daisy Circle” developed by CASIO, and

analyses of real posts on this SNS through Conversation Analytic approach. The

following findings were obtained.

　After reports by caregiving specialists, the distant daughter sometimes gave a

second report. The reason of that is, the distant daughter, as a family member is

normatively expected to have more knowledge than caregiving specialists who

are outsiders.

　On the other hand the distant daughter sometimes claimed that she didn’t

have knowledge of the report of the caregiving specialists. In this case she tried

to get information about it from her mother rather than requesting it from the

caregiving specialists. In this case, there is also a norm that information about

the family should be gotten within their family not from outsiders for example

the caregiving specialists.

　In conclusion, this research claims that the dilemma faced by children wanting

to know about their distant parents situation while feeling obligated not to

rely on outsiders is appeared in SNS communication and is possibly resolved by　the parents involvement in the exchange.