Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Social Work
Advisor
Dorothy Scotten
Abstract
AbstractActive aging plays a pivotal role in countering the effects of multimorbidities and enhancing mental and physical well-being of individuals. Prior research supports the benefits of mindfulness, a key component of active aging, in enhancing older adults’ physical and mental health, but the effect of mindfulness on older adults’ communication with medical social workers and other health care providers has not been studied. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of how older quiltmakers experienced mindfulness and how this affected their communication with their health care providers. The study, which drew from empowerment theory, included eight women and one man in East Central Kansas who were 65 and older, lived independently, and quilted. The participants engaged in interviews that were transcribed and coded to identify key themes. One of the themes that emerged was connection to others. Although all of the participants reported that quilting enhances communication with others, only half of the respondents perceived that quilt making increased communication with their healthcare providers. The other themes that emerged were creating and mental health. Through this research, older adults can gain an understanding of the importance that hobbies or engaging in other interests can potentially provide a means to practice mindfulness and communicate with others. This can possibly improve mental and physical health. This study affirmed the importance of connection with others, productivity, and the feeling of well-being that can be generated through quiltmaking.
Recommended Citation
Cauthorn Gill, Mary Peyton, "The Impact of Mindfulness on Communication With Health Care Providers for Older Adult Quilters" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13256.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13256
