ABSTRACT
PurposeTo explore the value in reminiscing about past festivals as a potential way of improving wellbeing in socially isolated times.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses previous research on reminiscence, nostalgia and wellbeing to underpin the analysis of self-recorded memory narratives. These were gathered from 13 pairs of festivalgoers during Covid-19 restrictions and included gathering their individual memories and their reminiscences together. The participant pairs were a mix of friends, family and couples who had visited festivals in the UK, Finland and Denmark.FindingsFour key areas that emerged through the analysis were the emotions of nostalgia and anticipation, and the processes of reliving emotions and bonding through memories.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies could take a longitudinal approach to see how memory sharing evolves and the impact of this on wellbeing. The authors also recommend undertaking similar studies in other cultural settings.Practical implicationsThis study findings have implications for both post-festival marketing and for the further development of reminiscence therapy interventions.Originality/valueThe method provides a window into memory sharing that has been little used in previous studies. The narratives confirm the value in sharing memories and the positive impact this has on wellbeing. They also illustrate that this happens through positive forms of nostalgia that centre on gratitude and lead to hope and optimism. Anticipation, not emphasised in other studies, was also found to be important in wellbeing and was triggered through looking back at happier times.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To assess the unique needs of at-risk kidney and transplant patients and their caregivers during COVID-19, we established a telephone Listening Center enabling them to share about challenges seeking care, common stressors, and opportunities for healthcare delivery improvement. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study where participants answered open and closed-ended questions about their health, financial, and emotional challenges during COVID-19. Data from open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were run for quantitative items to explore frequencies of COVID-related stressors. Results: The 111 participants varied by race/ethnicity [Hispanic (29%), White (24%), Asian (23%), Black (23%), Other (1%)], with most being English-speakers (85%). Many participants experienced health, financial, or emotional COVID-19 related stressors (Table). Patients reported severe limitations due to need for social distancing, inability to go to overcrowded medical settings and public spaces, and difficulty receiving assistance replacing in-home dialysis supplies, childcare support, or help with home repairs. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ4), 30% of participants reported feeling depressed and 35% reported feeling anxious on several to most days. Participants sought emotional support from family, friends, and communities of faith using facetime and zoom. Patients wanted a centralized place to receive COVID-19 updates, recommendations for safe activities, flexibility to choose online or in person medical visits, and regular follow up from their kidney/ transplant specialists related to COVID-19. Conclusions: Over 40% of patients reported fear, frustration, loneliness, and postponed medical visits due to COVID-19. Needs-based interventions include mental health resources, education, and support for care transitions may be helpful, particularly as the pandemic continues. (Table Presented).