"Get a Grip, Get on With It, This Is Life": A Qualitative Exploration of How Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Self-Manage Low Mood.

Abstract

Purpose: Older adults have a strong desire to self-manage their overall well-being, including their mental health. However, there is a risk that low mood could be associated with aging, normalized and accepted, and impacts help-seeking behavior by older adults. Thus, the current study explored how older adults in New Zealand manage low mood.

Method: This qualitative descriptive study was embedded in a study exploring community-dwelling older adults' well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 37 older adults aged between 66 and 99 years (mean age = 83 years). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Four themes emerged: (1) Noticing, Normalizing, and Thinking Differently; (2) Engaging in Meaningful Activities; (3) Connecting With Others; and (4) Seeking Help. Importantly, older adults developed positive ways of managing low mood.

Conclusion: Successful strategies older adults implemented can be shared, challenging stereotypes that low mood is specifically part of the aging process. For nurses, greater awareness of the strategies older adults use to combat low mood is vital to ensure they can maintain overall well-being. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(xx), xx-xx.].