Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40996362›Full record

Observational studyInternational journal of older people nursing2025

Exploring Emotional Communication Between Older Persons and Nursing Assistants in Home Care: A Qualitative Study.

Tanja Gustafsson, Elisabeth Lindberg, Hanna Maurin Söderholm, Lena Hedén, Sandra van Dulmen, Annelie J Sundler

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in International journal of older people nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tanja GustafssonFaculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8379-7910
Elisabeth LindbergFaculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.
Hanna Maurin SöderholmPICTA Prehospital Innovation Arena, Lindholmen Science Park, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Lena HedénFaculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.
Sandra van DulmenFaculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.
Annelie J SundlerFaculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9194-3244

Funding

The Agneta Prytz-Folke och Gösta Folke foundationThe Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare at the University of Borås
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCommunication between older persons and nursing assistants is important in providing high-quality, person-centred home care. While previous research has reported on older persons' emotional concerns during home care conversations, there is a need to gain an in-depth understanding of emotional concerns' role in such conversations and how to support the older persons' comfort and well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the nature and focus of emotional communication between older persons and nursing assistants in home care.

methodsA descriptive qualitative design using observational data from 83 audio-recorded home care visits was used to identify and analyse sequences of distressing emotional communication, analysed through thematic analysis.

resultsIn this study, four themes were described illustrating how emotional communication between older persons and nursing assistants during home care visits creates opportunities for empathy: (1) recognising empathic opportunities, (2) identifying subtle and vague signs of emotional distress, (3) expressing needs for emotional support, and (4) striving to restore comfort in challenging conversations.

conclusionsConversations about older persons' emotions and worries can be complex. The findings indicate a fine line between meaningfulness and discomfort in emotional sequences. Expressions of emotional distress provide empathic opportunities that call for attentiveness and sensitivity from nursing assistants, implying a need for education and training in person-centred communication. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Emotional communication acknowledging empathic opportunities enhances person-centred care by promoting trust, comfort, and well-being. Ultimately, emotional communication reinforces the importance of empathy in home care and creates space for emotional interactions, leading to more supportive relationships.

Indexed as

CommunicationEmotionsHome Care ServicesNurse-Patient RelationsNursing AssistantsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overEmpathyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative Researchemotional communicationhome carenursing assistantsobservationsolder personsperson‐centred carethematic analysis

Identifiers

PMID40996362
PMCPMC12462650

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.