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  • 1.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Äldre människor i ensamhet och gemenskap2017In: Vem är den äldre?: Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige / [ed] M. Abramsson, L-C. Hydén, A. Motel-Klingebeil, Stockholm: Nationella institutet för forskning om äldre och åldrande, NISALn , 2017, 1, p. 73-84Chapter in book (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    Kapitlet innehåller en sammanställning över kunskapsläget när det gäller äldre personers upplevelse av ensamhet. Ensamhet kanbeskrivas som en negativ känsla vilken uppkommer och hörsamman med människors brist på sociala relationer. Det kan röra sig om brister när det gäller relationernas antal och/eller kontinuitet. Ensamhet är ett komplext fenomen, och mätningar av andelenäldre som upplever negativ ensamhet ger olika resultat beroende påstudie. Studier genomförda i Sverige har visat att cirka 10 procentav gruppen äldre (65+) uppger att de ofta har en känsla avensamhet. Till detta kan läggas att cirka 40 procent uppger att de ibland upplever ensamhet. Det finns ännu få svenska effektstudierav de satsningar som genomförts med syfte att motverka äldresensamhet.

  • 2.
    Torgé, Cristina Joy
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    From loneliness to agency: Shifting perspectives within community-based loneliness interventions2023Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 3.
    Wallroth, Veronika
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Anhörigomsorg i Sverige idag - mellan skyldigheter och rättigheter?2023In: De sociala rättigheternas politik: förhandlingar och spänningsfält / [ed] Magnus Dahlstedt; Anna Lundberg, Dimitris Michailakis, Malmö: Gleerups Utbildning AB , 2023, p. 171-186Chapter in book (Other academic)
  • 4.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work.
    Constructions of loneliness among older people in Swedish daily-press2016Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 5.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Ensamhet och döende som samhällsfrågor2021In: Äldre i Centrum, ISSN 1653-3585, no 4, p. 3p. 104-106Article in journal (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 6.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work.
    Loneliness among older people and care of the dying2021Other (Other academic)
  • 7.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Loneliness among older people in the Swedish media: Constructions, discourses and the designation of responsibility2018Licentiate thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Feelings of belonging or not belonging to other people are commonly seen as an essential and universal part of human existence. How loneliness is talked about and understood is, however, found to differ depending on historical, cultural and societal contexts. Today, there are intense discussions on loneliness among older people in the Swedish news-press. Constructions within mass media and - in this licentiate thesis - news-press are found to have a significant influence on how older people evaluate their own life and how older people are treated by the surrounding society. Research with this focus is, however, scarce despite the large amount of studies on loneliness and despite research on constructions of older people within mass media being a frequently addressed issue for ageing research. The aim of this thesis is to explore how loneliness among older people is constructed and how the responsibility for reducing loneliness is designated within the Swedish news-press.

    In Paper 1 the empirical material consisted of 94 news-press articles from the years 2013-2014. The prime finding was that loneliness was not the main focus in the articles from the Swedish news-press. The concept was used more to motivate the need for political change, enhancing the importance of volunteer work and described as a risk factor within research reports. The material analysed in Paper 2 consisted of 40 news-press articles from October 2016. The responsibility for reducing loneliness among older people was found to be designated between welfare state institutions on different levels. Institutions and political parties both defend the planned or performed measures to reduce loneliness, but also admit to not doing enough in this regard. Older people were found to be constructed as recipients of activities for reducing loneliness, and the “we” in “society” were those who should perform activities in order to reduce loneliness among older people.

    The main overall finding of the thesis is that loneliness was not the main focus in the articles from Swedish news-press. Instead, loneliness was used as a motive for political change and to enhance the value of volunteer work. Furthermore, loneliness among older people is understood as a problem that needs to be solved. The contexts and logics of the mass media were found to have an influence on how loneliness among older people was constructed, as the issue was mainly addressed in local debate articles with ambitions of achieving change.

    List of papers
    1. What are we talking about?: Constructions of loneliness among older people in the Swedish news-press
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>What are we talking about?: Constructions of loneliness among older people in the Swedish news-press
    2017 (English)In: Journal of Aging Studies, ISSN 0890-4065, E-ISSN 1879-193X, Vol. 41, p. 18-27Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Loneliness among older people is an issue that engages the general public and various professions and organizations in contemporary Swedish society. One public arena where this engagement is particularly evident is within the Swedish news-press, where articles on loneliness among older people are frequently published. Loneliness is commonly perceived as significantly related to ageing and older people. In addition, the mass media is considered to have a crucial influence in shaping general perceptions of older people. The aim of this study is to examine how loneliness among older people is constructed in the Swedish news-press and whether there is a prevailing “loneliness discourse” within this context. The empirical material consists of 94 articles from the Swedish news-press from the years 2013–2014. Two dominating discourses was found. Loneliness — within the discourse of eldercare, politics and the welfare society, is primarily written about in news articles and debate articles by a variety of authors, such as politicians and representatives from organizations. Within this discourse, loneliness is utilized as a concept to motivate the need for political change and the allocations of resources and to amplify deficiencies within eldercare, politics and the welfare society. The second discourse, Loneliness — within the discourse of volunteer work, is addressed in reportage articles written by journalists. In this discourse focus was on depicting volunteers and enhancing the importance of volunteer work. Here, loneliness serves as a motive for performing volunteer work. In addition, the discourse of Research reports on older people's health was found, although less significant compared to the two major discourses. Within this discourse ageing is presented as a risk, where loneliness is one of these risk factors. Despite some minor differences, loneliness, within all three discourses, is given the meaning of being a problem that needs to be solved. A central finding in this study is that focus in the articles, from Swedish news-press, is not mainly on loneliness but rather on eldercare, politics and the welfare state, volunteer work and health among older people. Loneliness is, consequently, used as a concept to motivate the need for political change and the allocation of resources for older people, to enhance the values of volunteer work and to emphasize the risks associated with ageing.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Elsevier, 2017
    Keywords
    Loneliness, Older people, Mass media, Discourse theory
    National Category
    Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-136131 (URN)10.1016/j.jaging.2017.03.002 (DOI)000404490400003 ()28610751 (PubMedID)
    Note

    Fundingagencies: Norrkepingsfonden [KS 2013/0721]

    Available from: 2017-03-28 Created: 2017-03-28 Last updated: 2020-12-16Bibliographically approved
    2. Reducing loneliness among older people – who is responsible?
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Reducing loneliness among older people – who is responsible?
    2020 (English)In: Ageing & Society, ISSN 0144-686X, E-ISSN 1469-1779, Vol. 40, no 3, p. 584-603Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    In the Swedish news-press, loneliness among older people is presented as a severe problem that needs to be solved. The issue of who is responsible for reducing loneliness and how this responsibility is designated is, however, rarely discussed. In this study, we have analysed how responsibility is designated and constructed in articles from the Swedish news-press. Focus has been on identifying responsibility in discourses proceeding from the concept of subject positions. This concept has enabled analysis on how responsibility is negotiated and who is positioned as a responsible actor with the ability to perform actions that reduce loneliness. Three dominating discourses were found. In the discourse of responsibility within politics and the welfare state, the responsibility is both self-taken and designated to other institutions held responsible for not initiating sufficient measures to reduce loneliness. In the discourse of responsibility within societal and evolutionary perspectives on loneliness, developments beyond the individual's control are considered to contribute to loneliness. At the same time ‘we’ in ‘society’ are considered capable of reducing loneliness, thereby constructing individuals as responsible actors. Within the discourses of responsibility within senior organisations, both senior organisations and people who participate in activities are constructed as responsible actors. In conclusion, the responsibility for reducing loneliness is, apart from the discourse on senior organisations, designated to those working with older people.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020
    Keywords
    loneliness, responsibility, news-press, subject positions, discourses
    National Category
    Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-153334 (URN)10.1017/S0144686X18001162 (DOI)000510751800007 ()2-s2.0-85055109228 (Scopus ID)
    Note

    Funding agencies: Norrkoping Municipality Research and Development Fund (Norrkopings fond for forskning och utveckling) [KS 2013/0721]

    Available from: 2018-12-13 Created: 2018-12-13 Last updated: 2020-12-16Bibliographically approved
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    Loneliness among older people in the Swedish media: Constructions, discourses and the designation of responsibility
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  • 8. Order onlineBuy this publication >>
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Loneliness and Dying as Issues of Public Concern in Sweden2020Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Loneliness among older people and how the dying should be cared for are issues that evoke public debate. These issues are often described as universal and existential aspects of the human experience. Societal understandings of loneliness and dying have, however, changed dramatically over the past decades. Loneliness among older people and how we die are surrounded with ideals of how to "age well" and "good deaths", where failure to meet these expectations is associated with tabus, stigma and personal and societal failures. Consequently, studying loneliness among older people and care of the dying gives rise to the question of to what degree loneliness and dying are personal or public concerns. 

    The aim of this dissertation is to study how loneliness among older people is constructed in the Swedish news press and how care of the dying is constructed in policies and through the perspectives of experts in palliative care. Specifically, the analysis explores to what extent these issues have become public concerns, and how "old and lonely" and "the dying" are positioned and constructed. 

    In Paper I, the focus is on identifying overall discourses on loneliness among older people in the Swedish news press. Paper II is an analysis of how the responsibility for reducing loneliness is designated in the Swedish news press. Paper III explores how policies on palliative care have emerged and developed in Sweden over time since the 1970s up until today. Paper IV highlights the perspectives of experts, in palliative care, on the development and current state of palliative care, and the role of policymaking in this context. 

    The findings of Paper I illustrate that although loneliness among older people have seemingly gained increased attention, much of the news articles are about the deficiencies in the organisation of eldercare and volunteer work with aims of reducing loneliness. In Paper II, the main finding is that the task of reducing loneliness is discussed, defined, and designated by and to those who were "non-old" and "non-lonely", where ambitions of inclusion result in constructing old people as the "others". Paper III shows how policies on palliative care have changed, from an emphasis on psychological end-of-life care and an overarching critique of the hospice care philosophy, to claims for care to be instead inspired by the very same philosophy. Furthermore, ideals of dying at home have lost their significance as palliative care should be universal and carried out everywhere. Based on interviews with experts in palliative care, the results of Paper IV highlight the complex development of palliative care in between deficiencies in end-of-life care of the past and improvements of the present. These improvements resulted, however, in risks of too much bureaucracy.

    The overall findings of this dissertation indicate that loneliness among older people and care of the dying serve as symbols for criticising the idea of the development of "modern society", which is altogether viewed as individualistic, bureaucratised and medicalised. Throughout the studies included in this dissertation, the issues of individual autonomy and activity as well as responsibility have shown to be central. In the context of palliative care, the concept of autonomy has a key position and responsibility is on the dying person to make choices in order to achieve "good palliative care". Regarding loneliness among older people, emphasis is on how to make older people physically and socially active. Loneliness is constructed as a problem which should be avoided and solved by "society" bearing the responsibility for enabling older people not to be lonely. 

    List of papers
    1. What are we talking about?: Constructions of loneliness among older people in the Swedish news-press
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>What are we talking about?: Constructions of loneliness among older people in the Swedish news-press
    2017 (English)In: Journal of Aging Studies, ISSN 0890-4065, E-ISSN 1879-193X, Vol. 41, p. 18-27Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Loneliness among older people is an issue that engages the general public and various professions and organizations in contemporary Swedish society. One public arena where this engagement is particularly evident is within the Swedish news-press, where articles on loneliness among older people are frequently published. Loneliness is commonly perceived as significantly related to ageing and older people. In addition, the mass media is considered to have a crucial influence in shaping general perceptions of older people. The aim of this study is to examine how loneliness among older people is constructed in the Swedish news-press and whether there is a prevailing “loneliness discourse” within this context. The empirical material consists of 94 articles from the Swedish news-press from the years 2013–2014. Two dominating discourses was found. Loneliness — within the discourse of eldercare, politics and the welfare society, is primarily written about in news articles and debate articles by a variety of authors, such as politicians and representatives from organizations. Within this discourse, loneliness is utilized as a concept to motivate the need for political change and the allocations of resources and to amplify deficiencies within eldercare, politics and the welfare society. The second discourse, Loneliness — within the discourse of volunteer work, is addressed in reportage articles written by journalists. In this discourse focus was on depicting volunteers and enhancing the importance of volunteer work. Here, loneliness serves as a motive for performing volunteer work. In addition, the discourse of Research reports on older people's health was found, although less significant compared to the two major discourses. Within this discourse ageing is presented as a risk, where loneliness is one of these risk factors. Despite some minor differences, loneliness, within all three discourses, is given the meaning of being a problem that needs to be solved. A central finding in this study is that focus in the articles, from Swedish news-press, is not mainly on loneliness but rather on eldercare, politics and the welfare state, volunteer work and health among older people. Loneliness is, consequently, used as a concept to motivate the need for political change and the allocation of resources for older people, to enhance the values of volunteer work and to emphasize the risks associated with ageing.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Elsevier, 2017
    Keywords
    Loneliness, Older people, Mass media, Discourse theory
    National Category
    Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-136131 (URN)10.1016/j.jaging.2017.03.002 (DOI)000404490400003 ()28610751 (PubMedID)
    Note

    Fundingagencies: Norrkepingsfonden [KS 2013/0721]

    Available from: 2017-03-28 Created: 2017-03-28 Last updated: 2020-12-16Bibliographically approved
    2. Reducing loneliness among older people – who is responsible?
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Reducing loneliness among older people – who is responsible?
    2020 (English)In: Ageing & Society, ISSN 0144-686X, E-ISSN 1469-1779, Vol. 40, no 3, p. 584-603Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    In the Swedish news-press, loneliness among older people is presented as a severe problem that needs to be solved. The issue of who is responsible for reducing loneliness and how this responsibility is designated is, however, rarely discussed. In this study, we have analysed how responsibility is designated and constructed in articles from the Swedish news-press. Focus has been on identifying responsibility in discourses proceeding from the concept of subject positions. This concept has enabled analysis on how responsibility is negotiated and who is positioned as a responsible actor with the ability to perform actions that reduce loneliness. Three dominating discourses were found. In the discourse of responsibility within politics and the welfare state, the responsibility is both self-taken and designated to other institutions held responsible for not initiating sufficient measures to reduce loneliness. In the discourse of responsibility within societal and evolutionary perspectives on loneliness, developments beyond the individual's control are considered to contribute to loneliness. At the same time ‘we’ in ‘society’ are considered capable of reducing loneliness, thereby constructing individuals as responsible actors. Within the discourses of responsibility within senior organisations, both senior organisations and people who participate in activities are constructed as responsible actors. In conclusion, the responsibility for reducing loneliness is, apart from the discourse on senior organisations, designated to those working with older people.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020
    Keywords
    loneliness, responsibility, news-press, subject positions, discourses
    National Category
    Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-153334 (URN)10.1017/S0144686X18001162 (DOI)000510751800007 ()2-s2.0-85055109228 (Scopus ID)
    Note

    Funding agencies: Norrkoping Municipality Research and Development Fund (Norrkopings fond for forskning och utveckling) [KS 2013/0721]

    Available from: 2018-12-13 Created: 2018-12-13 Last updated: 2020-12-16Bibliographically approved
    3. Policy Narratives on Palliative Care in Sweden 1974–2018
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Policy Narratives on Palliative Care in Sweden 1974–2018
    2023 (English)In: Health Care Analysis, ISSN 1065-3058, E-ISSN 1573-3394Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
    Abstract [en]

    In Sweden, efforts to govern end-of-life care through policies have been ongoing since the 1970s. The aim of this study is to analyse how policy narratives on palliative care in Sweden have been formulated and have changed over time since the 1970s up to 2018. We have analysed 65 different policy-documents. After having analysed the empirical material, three policy episodes were identified. In Episode 1, focus was on the need for norms, standards and a psychological end-of-life care with the main goal of solving the alleged deficiencies within end-of-life care in hospital settings. Episode 2 was characterised by an emphasis on prioritising end-of-life care and dying at home, and on the fact that the hospice care philosophy should serve as inspiration. In Episode 3, the need for a palliative care philosophy that transcended all palliative care and the importance of systematic follow-ups and indicators was endorsed. Furthermore, human value and freedom of choice were emphasised. In conclusion, the increase of policy-documents produced by the welfare-state illustrate that death and dying have become matters of public concern and responsibility. Furthermore, significant shifts in policy narratives display how notions of good palliative care change, which in turn may affect both the practice and the content of care at the end of life.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Springer, 2023
    Keywords
    Death denial; Hospice care philosophy; Institutionalised death and dying; Palliative care; Policy narratives
    National Category
    Other Social Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-191137 (URN)10.1007/s10728-022-00449-1 (DOI)000914709100001 ()36650304 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85146394731 (Scopus ID)
    Funder
    Forte, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, 2017-01187Linköpings universitet
    Note

    Funding: FORTE - Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare [dnr: 2017-01187]; Region OEstergoetland, Sweden; Linkoeping University

    Available from: 2023-01-19 Created: 2023-01-19 Last updated: 2024-02-14Bibliographically approved
    4. Dying as an issue of public concern: cultural scripts on palliative care in Sweden
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Dying as an issue of public concern: cultural scripts on palliative care in Sweden
    2021 (English)In: Medicine, Health care and Philosophy, ISSN 1386-7423, E-ISSN 1572-8633, Vol. 24, p. 507-516Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    In Sweden, palliative care has, over the past decades, been object to policies and guidelines with focus on how to achieve“good palliative care”. The aim of this study has been to analyse how experts make sense of the development and the currentstate of palliative care. Departing from this aim, focus has been on identifying how personal experiences of ‘the self’ areintertwined with culturally available meta-level concepts and how experts contribute to construct new scripts on palliativecare. Twelve qualitative interviews were conducted. Four scripts were identifed after analysing the empirical material: 1.script of paths towards working within palliative care; 2. script of desirable and deterrent reference points; 3. script of tensions between improvement and bureaucracy; and 4. script of low status and uncertain defnitions. The fndings of this studyillustrate how experts in complex ways intertwine experiences of ‘the self’ with meta-levels concepts in order to make senseof the feld of palliative care. The participants did not endorse one “right way” of “good” deaths. Instead, palliative care wasconsidered to be located in a complex state where the historical development, consisting of both desirable ideals, death denialsand lack of guidelines, and more recent developments of strives towards universal concepts, “improvement” and increasedbureaucracy altogether played a signifcant role for how palliative care has developed and is organised and conducted today.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Springer, 2021
    Keywords
    Palliative care; Cultural scripts; Policymaking; Qualitative interviews
    National Category
    Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology) Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-175540 (URN)10.1007/s11019-021-10022-7 (DOI)000647922900001 ()33959886 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85105742738 (Scopus ID)
    Note

    Funding: Linkoping University - FORTE-Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare [2017-01187]; Region Östergotland, Sweden

    Available from: 2021-05-07 Created: 2021-05-07 Last updated: 2022-05-06Bibliographically approved
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  • 9.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Mellan "förbättring" och administration: Policyutveckling inom palliativ vård i Sverige2021Other (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 10.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work.
    Perceptions of loneliness in later life in Swedish daily-press2016Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 11.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, NISAL - National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later Life. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Utvärdering och uppföljning av SIK-projektet: Utvärdering av SIK-projektets tredje projektperiod, oktober 2012-maj 20142015Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    Föreliggande utvärderings syfte har varit att belysa och analysera de kunskaper och erfarenheter som kommit ur arbetet med SIK projektet under de år som projektet bedrivits. Då detta har varit den tredje och sista projektperioden har en viktig del av utvärderingens syfte varit att sammanfatta och beskriva hur de erfarenheter och kunskaper som kommit ur de två föregående projektperioderna bidragit till att forma hur man arbetar inom projektet under den tredje och sista projektperioden. Resultaten i utvärderingen grundas till största del på samtal och kvalitativa intervjuer med medarbetarna inom SIK projektet. En observation av en regionträff för flertalet Integrationsfondsprojekt har även genomförts.

    Vid genomförandet av denna utvärdering har jag inspirerats av Den praktik och erfarenhetsbaserade idealtypen för utvärdering, där syftet utgörs av att förstå hur processer och insatser kan påverka en verksamhet både praktiskt och metodiskt. I denna ”modell” ligger betoning vid förståelse, tolkning och reflektioner kring det praktiska förändringsarbetet, vilket lämpar sig väl med de syften som denna utvärdering utgått ifrån. De centrala teman som framkommit och belysts i utvärderingen var; Processtödets betydelse, Tematisering som grund för kritiskt tänkande och reflektion, Critical friend, Arbete över geografiska och organisatoriska gränser - hinder och möjligheter, Erfarenheter och kunskaper från projekt - hur tas de tillvara? och Tillvaratagandet av SIK:s kunskaper och erfarenheter. Sammanfattningsvis har det visat sig att tyst kunskap varit fundamentet för SIK projektet, då kärnan i projektets arbete utgjorts av att främja synliggörandet, tillvaratagandet och utbyten av tyst kunskap. Hinder för att synliggöra tyst kunskap har således utgjort en central fråga för SIK projektet. Geografiska avstånd, olika organisatoriska tillhörigheter, skilda verklighetsbilder, svårigheten att överföra invanda handlingsmönster samt att kunskap kan skapa hierarkiska ordningar utifrån vad som anses vara ”rätt kunskap” har visat sig vara betydelsefulla hinder för utbyten av tyst kunskap. SIK projektet kan sammantaget ses som modell för framtiden då projektet fungerat som en motpol till projektlogikens fokus på mål och resultat, då det kontinuerligt arbetats för att ge de olika integrationsfondsprojekten verktyg för kritisk reflektion, möjliggöra kunskaps- och erfarenhetsutbyten, att belysa tyst kunskap och att synliggöra de komplexa processer som sker i projektens framväxande.

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  • 12.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, NISAL - National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later Life. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    What are we talking about?: Constructions of loneliness among older people in the Swedish news-press2017In: Journal of Aging Studies, ISSN 0890-4065, E-ISSN 1879-193X, Vol. 41, p. 18-27Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Loneliness among older people is an issue that engages the general public and various professions and organizations in contemporary Swedish society. One public arena where this engagement is particularly evident is within the Swedish news-press, where articles on loneliness among older people are frequently published. Loneliness is commonly perceived as significantly related to ageing and older people. In addition, the mass media is considered to have a crucial influence in shaping general perceptions of older people. The aim of this study is to examine how loneliness among older people is constructed in the Swedish news-press and whether there is a prevailing “loneliness discourse” within this context. The empirical material consists of 94 articles from the Swedish news-press from the years 2013–2014. Two dominating discourses was found. Loneliness — within the discourse of eldercare, politics and the welfare society, is primarily written about in news articles and debate articles by a variety of authors, such as politicians and representatives from organizations. Within this discourse, loneliness is utilized as a concept to motivate the need for political change and the allocations of resources and to amplify deficiencies within eldercare, politics and the welfare society. The second discourse, Loneliness — within the discourse of volunteer work, is addressed in reportage articles written by journalists. In this discourse focus was on depicting volunteers and enhancing the importance of volunteer work. Here, loneliness serves as a motive for performing volunteer work. In addition, the discourse of Research reports on older people's health was found, although less significant compared to the two major discourses. Within this discourse ageing is presented as a risk, where loneliness is one of these risk factors. Despite some minor differences, loneliness, within all three discourses, is given the meaning of being a problem that needs to be solved. A central finding in this study is that focus in the articles, from Swedish news-press, is not mainly on loneliness but rather on eldercare, politics and the welfare state, volunteer work and health among older people. Loneliness is, consequently, used as a concept to motivate the need for political change and the allocation of resources for older people, to enhance the values of volunteer work and to emphasize the risks associated with ageing.

  • 13.
    Ågren, Axel
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Äldres ensamhet i media: mellan "epidemi" och individuell upplevelse2019In: Mind, ISSN 2002-4282, no 2, p. 4p. 36-39Article in journal (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Abstract [sv]

    Ensamhet är idag en fråga som berör och får stor uppmärksamhet i massmedia. I ny forskning riktas blicken mot hur äldres ensamhet beskrivs i svensk dagspress idag, vilken bland annat visat att ensamhet främst kopplas till äldre samt att fokus ligger vid äldreomsorg och inte ensamhet i sig.

  • 14.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Cultural Context Makes a Difference: A Comparison of Loneliness in Later Life in Swedish and Danish News-press2019Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 15.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Fremstillinger af aeldre menneskers ensomhed i dansk dagspresse2021Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [da]

    I studiet indgår 77 nyhedsartikler fra danske aviser, der udkom i 2016 og 2017.Gennem en analyse af materialet, som fokuserer på mediers anvendelse af ord og begreber, er der identificeret tre temaer:Aktiviteter mod ensomhed.Hvad er ensomhed?Boliger og betydningen af det fysiske miljø for ensomhed.Artiklerne er domineret af et fokus på aktiviteter, der skal imødegå ensomhed, og en opfat-telse af ensomhed som et problem, der skal løses. I de fleste artikler findes en mere dybde-gående diskussion af, hvad ensomhed er i nutidens samfund. Selvom ensomhed beskrives som et samfundsøkonomisk problem og et problem for folkesundheden, handler mange ar-tikler om behovet for at se ensomhedens sociale sider, og at ensomhed udspringer af sam-fundets udvikling og af synet på (tabuet om) ensomhed.De fleste artikler er kendetegnet ved, at flere perspektiver på ensomhed eller aktiviteter gi-ves plads i samme artikel. Det drejer sig ofte om, at ældre mennesker, forskere, engagerede borgere, de ansvarlige for en aktivitet og de ansvarlige i en kommune eller organisation får mulighed for at udtrykke deres syn på ensomhed og specifikke aktiviteter samt initiativer rettet mod ensomhed.

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  • 16.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Reducing loneliness among older people – who is responsible?2020In: Ageing & Society, ISSN 0144-686X, E-ISSN 1469-1779, Vol. 40, no 3, p. 584-603Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In the Swedish news-press, loneliness among older people is presented as a severe problem that needs to be solved. The issue of who is responsible for reducing loneliness and how this responsibility is designated is, however, rarely discussed. In this study, we have analysed how responsibility is designated and constructed in articles from the Swedish news-press. Focus has been on identifying responsibility in discourses proceeding from the concept of subject positions. This concept has enabled analysis on how responsibility is negotiated and who is positioned as a responsible actor with the ability to perform actions that reduce loneliness. Three dominating discourses were found. In the discourse of responsibility within politics and the welfare state, the responsibility is both self-taken and designated to other institutions held responsible for not initiating sufficient measures to reduce loneliness. In the discourse of responsibility within societal and evolutionary perspectives on loneliness, developments beyond the individual's control are considered to contribute to loneliness. At the same time ‘we’ in ‘society’ are considered capable of reducing loneliness, thereby constructing individuals as responsible actors. Within the discourses of responsibility within senior organisations, both senior organisations and people who participate in activities are constructed as responsible actors. In conclusion, the responsibility for reducing loneliness is, apart from the discourse on senior organisations, designated to those working with older people.

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  • 17.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Representations of loneliness among older people in the Swedish and Danish news media2021Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 18.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Ensommes gamle vaern, Danmark..
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Who is designated responsibility for reducing loneliness among older people?2018In: Lessons of a lifetime, Oslo, 2018Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 19.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Äldres ensamhet - vems ansvar?2019In: Äldre i centrum, ISSN 1653-3585, no 4, p. 4p. 44-47Article in journal (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Abstract [sv]

    I en aktuell studie av artiklar om ensamhet i svensk press framträder personer, institutioner och organisationer som är ”icke-äldre” som ansvariga för att genomföra åtgärder för att motverka ensamhet.

  • 20.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Swane, Christine
    Ensomme gamles vaern, Denmark.
    Constructions of loneliness in Swedish and Danish daily-press2017In: 13th ESA Conference: Abstract book, 2017Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 21.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Krevers, Barbro
    Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change.
    Nedlund, Ann-Charlotte
    Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Policy Narratives on Palliative Care in Sweden 1974–20182023In: Health Care Analysis, ISSN 1065-3058, E-ISSN 1573-3394Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In Sweden, efforts to govern end-of-life care through policies have been ongoing since the 1970s. The aim of this study is to analyse how policy narratives on palliative care in Sweden have been formulated and have changed over time since the 1970s up to 2018. We have analysed 65 different policy-documents. After having analysed the empirical material, three policy episodes were identified. In Episode 1, focus was on the need for norms, standards and a psychological end-of-life care with the main goal of solving the alleged deficiencies within end-of-life care in hospital settings. Episode 2 was characterised by an emphasis on prioritising end-of-life care and dying at home, and on the fact that the hospice care philosophy should serve as inspiration. In Episode 3, the need for a palliative care philosophy that transcended all palliative care and the importance of systematic follow-ups and indicators was endorsed. Furthermore, human value and freedom of choice were emphasised. In conclusion, the increase of policy-documents produced by the welfare-state illustrate that death and dying have become matters of public concern and responsibility. Furthermore, significant shifts in policy narratives display how notions of good palliative care change, which in turn may affect both the practice and the content of care at the end of life.

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  • 22.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Krevers, Barbro
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Nedlund, Ann-Charlotte
    Steering of end of life care through policies – constructs of home, autonomy and old age as constituting a ”good death”2021Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 23.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Nedlund, Ann-Charlotte
    Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change.
    Krevers, Barbro
    Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Society and Health. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Dying as an issue of public concern: cultural scripts on palliative care in Sweden2021In: Medicine, Health care and Philosophy, ISSN 1386-7423, E-ISSN 1572-8633, Vol. 24, p. 507-516Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In Sweden, palliative care has, over the past decades, been object to policies and guidelines with focus on how to achieve“good palliative care”. The aim of this study has been to analyse how experts make sense of the development and the currentstate of palliative care. Departing from this aim, focus has been on identifying how personal experiences of ‘the self’ areintertwined with culturally available meta-level concepts and how experts contribute to construct new scripts on palliativecare. Twelve qualitative interviews were conducted. Four scripts were identifed after analysing the empirical material: 1.script of paths towards working within palliative care; 2. script of desirable and deterrent reference points; 3. script of tensions between improvement and bureaucracy; and 4. script of low status and uncertain defnitions. The fndings of this studyillustrate how experts in complex ways intertwine experiences of ‘the self’ with meta-levels concepts in order to make senseof the feld of palliative care. The participants did not endorse one “right way” of “good” deaths. Instead, palliative care wasconsidered to be located in a complex state where the historical development, consisting of both desirable ideals, death denialsand lack of guidelines, and more recent developments of strives towards universal concepts, “improvement” and increasedbureaucracy altogether played a signifcant role for how palliative care has developed and is organised and conducted today.

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  • 24.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Nedlund, Ann-Charlotte
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Krevers, Barbro
    ”Expert” scripts on the past and present developments of palliative care in Sweden2021Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 25.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Nedlund, Ann-Charlotte
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Krevers, Barbro
    The Becoming of Palliative care - Between Policies, Knowledge Production and Moral Values2019Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 26.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Nilsson, Magnus
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Narratives on dying older men in public discourse2022In: Book of Abstracts: Narratives and Counter-Narratives of Aging and Old Age: Reflexivity in Aging Studies, 2022, p. 8-8Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Research on men and masculinity focuses on values and characteristics of masculine identity, which is often associated with autonomy, being active and in control, physically strong andresourceful. Moreover, social gerontology tends to focus on aging “successfully” and only to aminor extent acknowledge the “dark side” of aging, such as illness, impaired physical and mentalabilities, dependency and death. This is of relevance in relation to dying older men, where issuesof being dependent, frail and not being autonomous do not align with ideals of masculine identities. Meanwhile, current societal views on a “good death” focus on enabling autonomy and notdying alone. This in turn raises the issue of how to understand cases when men express autonomy to the degree of challenging norms of “good death”, i.e., wanting to die alone of expressionswills to end one’s life. Consequently, the issue of older men who are dying highlight severalcomplex and potentially conflicting narratives, on societal, organizational and individual levels. Inthis study we will analyze how the issues of dying and masculinity are treated in public discourseabout the death of older men. The point of departure is to scrutinize what types of narratives thatare prevalent and how the current narratives of “good death”, “successful aging” and the “fourthage” are dealt with in the chosen cases. Moreover, attention will be drawn to who´s perspectivesdominate in the narratives. Is it professionals, relatives, dying older men, policymakers or religious authorities who are given a voice?

  • 27.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Nilsson, Magnus
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    The social world of dying older men: between autonomy and ‘bad deaths’.2023In: Ageing, Men and Social Relations: New Perspectives on Masculinities and Men’s Social Connections in Later Life / [ed] Paul Willis, Ilkka Pietilä and Marjaana Seppänen, Bristol: Policy Press, 2023, p. 139-152Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this chapter is to critically examine dominating points of departures and perspectives within the social science literature which addresses issues of masculine identities, autonomy and social relations among dying older men. The literature and arguments that we present in this chapter relate mainly to men involved in heterosexual relationships. Throughout the chapter we will highlight identified complexities when studying death and dying of older men, neglected perspectives and potentials for future research on these issues.

  • 28.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work.
    Nilsson, Magnus
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Wallroth, Veronika
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work.
    Caring Masculinities – is There a New Man in Town?2021Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 29.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, NISAL - National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later Life. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Nord, Catharina
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, NISAL - National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later Life. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Cedersund, Elisabet
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, NISAL - National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later Life. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Utvärdering av projektet Testmiljö Norrköping Etapp 1. 2013-20142015Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    Föreliggande utvärdering har avsett att värdera de resultat som framkommit under första året för Testmiljö Norrköping. En viktig del av utvärderingen har utgjorts av att förstå och reflektera kring nyckelaktörers och deltagares resonemang kring sitt deltagande, sina upplevelser av och syn på projektet. I utvärderingens syfte ingick även att lyfta vilka mervärden och bieffekter som kommit fram under projektets första år.

    Vid genomförande av föreliggande utvärdering har sammanlagt 14 kvalitativa intervjuer genomförts. Nio av dessa intervjuer har varit med personer som är nyckelaktörer inom projektet. Fem intervjuer har utförts med personer som deltagit i surfplatteutbildningen. Utöver de kvalitativa intervjuerna har en enkät delats ut till samtliga personer som deltagit i surfplatteutbildningen. Enkätens svarsfrekvens var hög, då 45 av 54 tillfrågade besvarade enkäten.

    Utifrån utvärderingens resultat- och analysdel är vår bedömning att man inom projektet Testmiljö Norrköping uppnått det övergripande målet att under projektets första år etablera stadsdelarna Såpkullen och Vilbergen som testmiljöer för digitala tjänster och lösningar riktade till personer över 75 år. Denna bedömning motiveras av att man etablerat kontakter med intresserade företag som vill genomföra olika tester inom ramen för projektet samt att man arrangerat surfplatteutbildningar där sammanlagt 64 personer deltog. Genom att man lyckats nå ut till denna grupp av personer och koppla dem till testmiljön har man lagt en viktig grund för testmiljöns framtid. Vår bedömning är även att bredden i styrgruppen och det stora externa intresset för testmiljön innebär potentialer till att länka till andra aktiviteter, yrkesområden, organisationer och projekt.

    Vad gäller deltagarnas uppfattningar av och syn på utbildningen var de överlag nöjda med utbildningens uppläggning och innehåll. Övergången från att gå en surfplatteutbildning till att faktiskt använda en surfplatta i vardagen har visat sig vara komplex och varierande mellan informanterna. Utbildningen har bidragit till att deltagarna vågat pröva sig fram på surfplattan på egen hand. Att man genom utbildningen upplever sig vara delaktig i samhället och att man tack vare utbildningen upplever att man följer med i samhällsutveck-lingen, var något majoriteten av deltagarna tog upp i intervjuerna samt i enkätsvaren.

    Beträffande nyckelaktörernas perspektiv på projektets första år framgick att styrgruppens sammansättning uppfattades som relevant. Alla i styrgruppen upplevde projektets innehåll och mål som betydelsefulla utifrån den verksamhet man representerade.

    Under projektets första år har flera oväntade resultat och ändringar i inriktning uppkommit. Att kalkylera och ge utrymme för oväntade resultat är svårt då man på förhand inte kan veta vilka oväntade resultat och händelser som kan inträffa. Att synliggöra dessa förändringar kan bidra till en förståelse för hur komplex framväxten av projektet varit. Det kan även bidra till att identifiera oväntade hinder som kan vara tidskrävande att överkomma, men även till att belysa vilka positiva resultat och mervärden som kan komma ur det oväntade.

    Utvärderingen är författad av Axel Ågren, Catharina Nord och Elisabet Cedersund (alla verksamma vid NISAL, Linköpings universitet) på uppdrag av vård- och omsorgskontoret och PUFF-enheten, Norrköpings kommun. PUFF-enheten är en forsknings- och utvecklingsverksamhet inom välfärdsområdet. Inom PUFF-enheten ingår Norrköpings, Söderköpings, Finspångs och Valdemarsviks kommun i samverkan.

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  • 30.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Pavlidis, George
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Loneliness and states of exclusion from social relations as parts of older Swedish persons’ self-identity2022Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 31.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Pavlidis, George
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Sense-making of loneliness and exclusion from social relations among older adults in Sweden2023In: The Gerontologist, ISSN 0016-9013, E-ISSN 1758-5341, Vol. 63, no 7, p. 1140-1148Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background and ObjectivesLoneliness and exclusion from social relations (ESR) are frequently addressed as public health issues for older adults. Public discourses potentially influence how loneliness and ESR are understood in society and experienced by the individual. The aim of this study was to analyze how older adults in different parts of Sweden use the discourses and concepts available to them to describe experiences of ESR and loneliness, and how these descriptions are used to construct a self-identity.Research Design and MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 individuals (14 men, 16 women) aged 67 to 87 years and living in Sweden. Emphasis was, in line with perspectives of discursive psychology, on how individuals draw on discourses to make sense of experiences. The empirical material was analyzed through an inductive process where we were open to finding concepts and themes.ResultsMost participants emphasized the importance of not being lonely, considered achievable through maintaining an active lifestyle. “Othering” was taking place, where a general image of a “lonely” older adult was referred to when speaking about "others" loneliness. Those who expressed feelings of loneliness related these feelings to loss, being omitted and other difficult life circumstances.Discussion and ImplicationsStates of ESR were discussed more comfortably than loneliness, while various linguistic resources were used to distance themselves from loneliness. These findings indicate the need for further studies elaborating on how older adults make sense of ESR and loneliness and what implications this has for older adults’ well-being and identity-making

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  • 32.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Pavlidis, George
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Social aspects of person-centered care– a solution to loneliness among older people?2022In: Abstract book: Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development, 2022, Seoul, 2022Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 33.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Pavlidis, George
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Social relations, loneliness and self-identity amongst older people in Sweden during the Covid-19 pandemic2022Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Having an active life with meaningful social relations is often viewed as key for older persons’ well-being. Consequently, experiences of loneliness is seen as something negative which must be avoided or reduced. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of loneliness among older persons has been highlighted in the public discourse, as the restrictions imposed to avoid the spread of infection has resulted in increased social isolation for older persons. This study examined how older persons talk about social relations and loneliness relating these issues to their own identity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 30 persons (14 men, 16 women) living in Sweden were conducted. We examined how older persons make sense of how their social relations and experiences of loneliness have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, focus was on how the participants construct their self-identity in relation to these experiences using linguistic resources (i.e., concepts, phrases, and metaphors) and to what extent the pandemic altered the process of constructing a self-identity. The preliminary findings indicate that older persons viewed loneliness as a minor problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having an active lifestyle and being busy was recurrently mentioned as the preferred strategy for mitigating loneliness. Loneliness was mainly considered as an issue of ”others”, often comparing the ”self” with ”others” who are lonelier. It was concluded that during the COVID-19 pandemic, being ”non-lonely” was an important part of older persons’ self-identity

  • 34.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Pavlidis, George
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Tabu att tala om ensamhet2023In: Äldre i Centrum, ISSN 1653-3585, p. 74-76Article in journal (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 35.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Pavlidis, George
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Ageing and Social Change. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Tabu att tala om ensamhet2023In: Äldre i Centrum, ISSN 1653-3585, no 3, p. 74-77Article in journal (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 36.
    Ågren, Axel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Culture and Society, Division of Social Work. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Torgé, Joy
    Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    From loneliness to agency: Shifting perspectives within community-based loneliness interventions2023Conference paper (Refereed)
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