The population of older adults is rapidly increasing worldwide. Owing to fewer interactions between generations, older adults experience ageism and various psychological issues, such as depression and loneliness. Digital storytelling (DST) has the potential to share vivid lived experiences, support the forming of social relationships, and lead to improved well-being. This scoping review examines the potential psychosocial benefits of individual DST interventions for older adults and people with dementia. We adopted the methodological framework for scoping reviews outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) manual. A scoping review was performed using the following bibliographic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Assembly Library. There were 395 references retrieved, of which 19 articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our findings revealed that the most common effects of DST on older adults included the promotion of mental health, an increased amount of meaningful community connections, greater digital literacy, the mitigation of negative ageism, and enhanced intellectual ability. We suggest randomized controlled trials are conducted to confirm the efficacy of intergenerational DST intervention and the effects of DST interventions at multilevel outcomes, including the community level.

안진영, et al. Korean J Adult Nurs. 2021 Apr;33(2):134-144. https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2021.33.2.134

Although ageism has a strong relationship with attitudes toward dementia, no study has confirmed how person-centered care and compassion mediate the relationship between nursing students’ ageism and attitudes toward dementia. This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of person-centered care competency and compassion competency on ageism and attitudes toward dementia among nursing undergraduates. Participants were 295 undergraduate nursing students from four universities. A descriptive cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted, involving the selection of four Korean nursing schools for the study. Data was obtained via an online survey conducted from March to July 2022. Data were analyzed with Pearson's correlations, and multi-mediating effects using the PROCESS Macro for software, utilizing bootstrap techniques. Attitudes toward dementia was correlated with ageism (r = −0.386, p < 0.001), person-centered care (r = 0.422, p < 0.001), and compassion competency (r = 0.457, p < 0.001). The total effect (β = −0.326, p < 0.001) and direct effect (β = −0.243, p < 0.001) of ageism on attitudes toward dementia were significant. Ageism does not have a direct effect on compassion competency (Std. estimate = −0.0213, CI: −0.0518∼0.0048). However, person-centered care and compassion competency had multiple serial mediating effects on the relationship between ageism and attitudes toward dementia (Std. estimate = −0.0357, CI: −0.0624∼-0.0145). Person-centered care and compassion competency may mediate the association between ageism and attitudes toward dementia. Ageism was negatively associated with person-centered care and compassion competency, which in turn positively contributed to attitudes toward dementia. Therefore, an educational program that considers the interaction between generations and the context of older people must be applied to increase person-centered care and compassion competency.

Objective: Given the critical workforce challenges in home care settings and the limited understanding of empowerment mechanisms in isolated work environments, this study aimed to examine how structural empowerment influences psychological empowerment among home care workers in South Korea through the mediating pathways of thriving at work and caregiver reciprocity. Based on Kanter’s empowerment theory, we specifically investigated the serial mediation effects to understand the complex processes through which organizational support structures translate into enhanced worker empowerment. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 192 home care workers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and serial multiple mediation analysis using SPSS Process Macro Model 6. Results: Structural empowerment demonstrated significant positive correlations with thriving at work (r = 0.445, p < 0.001), caregiver reciprocity (r = 0.490, p < 0.001), and psychological empowerment (r = 0.337, p < 0.001). Thriving at work significantly influenced both caregiver reciprocity (β = 0.3968, p < 0.001) and psychological empowerment (β = 0.1685, p < 0.001). The serial mediation analysis revealed that the indirect effect of structural empowerment on psychological empowerment through thriving at work and caregiver reciprocity was statistically significant (indirect effect = 0.1327, 95% CI [0.0713, 0.1929]), with the model explaining 58% of the variance in psychological empowerment. Conclusions: Structural empowerment significantly enhances psychological empowerment among home care workers through the sequential mediation of thriving at work and caregiver reciprocity. Healthcare organizations should prioritize strengthening structural empowerment through comprehensive support systems and conducive work environments to optimize care quality and worker well-being.

Background: A culture centered on relationships and communication is necessary to improve the quality of life of older adults living in nursing homes. Objectives: To examine the effects of a storytelling program by examining the cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial changes in older adults in facilities and explore staff experience of changes in care. Methods: This mixed method study delivered a 6-week storytelling program based on relationship-centered care for residents of nursing homes (aged >65 years). Changes in emotional expression, depression, communication skills, social support, interpersonal relationships, nurse-patient interaction, and the person-centered environment as perceived by older adults were quantitatively analyzed using pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys. Qualitative data were collected through weekly stories created by residents, followed by focus group interviews with nursing home staff, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to enhance understanding of the program’s outcomes. Results: The 42 residents reported significant changes in their emotional expression, depression, communication skills, social support, interpersonal relationships, nurse-patient interaction, and person-centered environment scores after the 6-week intervention. Analysis of the residents’ stories identified 5 themes. The staff focus group interviews identified 2 themes and 7 subthemes. Intervention group residents were more likely to initiate conversations, express themselves, carefully observe themselves and others, and actively participate in social activities. Conclusions: The storytelling program was useful in reducing older adults’ negative emotions by allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings and improve their relationships, creating opportunities for social interaction. These effects could help foster relationship- and communication-centered facility cultures.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of structural empowerment, thriving at work, and caregiver reciprocity on the psychological empowerment of home care workers in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 192 home care workers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and serial multiple mediation analysis using SPSS Process Macro. Results: Structural empowerment positively influenced job thriving, caregiver reciprocity, and psychological empowerment. Job thriving positively affected caregiver reciprocity and psychological empowerment. Caregiver reciprocity also positively influenced psychological empowerment. The dual mediating effect of job thriving and caregiver reciprocity between structural empowerment and psychological empowerment was significant. Conclusion: High levels of structural empowerment and caregiver reciprocity promote thriving at work, thereby enhancing psychological empowerment among home care workers. These findings highlight structural empowerment as a crucial factor affecting psychological empowerment, with thriving at work and caregiver reciprocity serving as decisive mediators. Healthcare organizations should implement diversified support systems and evaluate working environments to enhance both structural empowerment and caregiver reciprocity for improved care quality.