Older people’s perceptions of intergenerational relationships in nursing homes: A qualitative content analysis

INTRODUCTION: Intergenerational conflict is one of the components which helps to inappropriate communication patterns and ineffective interactions. Intergenerational research aims to promote deeper understanding and respect between generations and helps to create more cohesive communities, suggesting that it can have numerous health and social benefits. Despite the importance of intergenerational relationships in the elderly, the older people’s perceptions of intergenerational relationships in nursing homes are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the older people’s perceptions of intergenerational relationships in nursing homes in relation to nurses. METHODS: This was a qualitative content analysis in which 12 elderly residents and 6 employees (3 nurses, 1 supervisor, 1 psychologist and 1 nursing home manager) in the nursing home were recruited purposively from three nursing homes located in Tehran, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information. Data were analyzed via qualitative content analysis and continuous comparison and were based on self-interactional group theory (SIGT). RESULTS: During data analysis, “Struggle for existence” was extracted from three subthemes as the main theme. Subthemes such as “prejudicious tendencies”, “Communication nodes” resulting from intra-group and inter-group analysis, respectively, and the “umbrella of society,” which influences both concepts, formed the intergenerational relationships in the nursing homes. CONCLUSION: Generational differences between nursing home residents and nurses make establishing effective communication between them difficult and lead to lack of quality care. The study findings can help nursing home managers apply strategies to remove barriers to intergenerational relationships, improve these relationships and increase cohesion between generations to lead to better care and subsequent improvement in their quality of life.