Young female adults' experiences of their relationships with older people

The Mmogo-method(R)

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2932947
AutoresVera Roos (0000-0003-2851-5826, North-West University), Lizanlé Van Biljon (North-West University, autor correspondente), Ursula Carstens (North-West University)
Ano2019
Volume36
Fascículo2
Páginas556-572
Data de publicação2019-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407517735913
OpenAlexW2766945668
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas34

Most of the intergenerational research in South Africa has been undertaken on African cultures. This study aims to cast light on the experiences of Afrikaans-speaking young female adults in relation to older people, using the Mmogo-method(R), a visual projective data collection method. Eighteen young female adults (aged 21-30), all students, were purposefully selected and willingly participated. The four phases of the Mmogo-method were applied, for which participants used unstructured materials, and based on an open-ended prompt constructed visual representations of their interactional experiences in relation to significant older people. Visual representations were discussed individually as well as in a group setting, thereby obtaining personal and group experiences simultaneously. Visual data were analyzed using Roos and Redelinghuys's proposed six steps, and textual data (verbatim transcriptions of personal and group discussions) were thematically analyzed. All participants were related to significant older people as grandparents. The relational interactions between young female adults and their grandparents emerged on a continuum of emotional closeness and distance: extremely and uncomfortably close, comfortably close, reasonably distant and inaccessible, and extremely distant and totally inaccessible. From the young adults' perspective, relational interactions at the extremes of the continuum (too close or too distant) are experienced as ineffective, while comfortably close, as effective. Empathy as a relational characteristic created reciprocal feelings of closeness. Awarenessmaking of an empathic stance in intergenerational relationships might increase the support and care rendered through intergenerational relationships

Closeness · Developmental psychology · Empathy · Feeling · Grandparent · Mirroring · Perspective (graphical · Visual arts · Young adult · Family Support in Illness · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology