Being connected to nature, reindeer, and family: findings from a photovoice study on well-being among older South Sámi people. Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ness, Tove Mentsen; Munkejord, Mai Camilla
• Is Part Of: International journal of circumpolar health. Volume 80:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Older indigenous people -- South Sámi people -- well-being -- being connected -- nature -- reindeer -- family; Arctic medicine -- Periodicals; Circumpolar medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine arctique -- Périodiques; Médecine polaire -- Périodiques; Arctic medicine; Circumpolar medicine; Gezondheid; Noordpoolgebied; Cold Climate; Medicine; Antarctic Regions; Arctic Regions; Periodicals; 616.9881
• DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2021.1936971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1239-9736

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we examine the perceptions of well-being among older South Sámi people with various experiences from reindeer herding by use of a method called photovoice. Eleven participants, including six men and five women aged 67–84 years, agreed to take photos of situations, things, or persons that made them feel a sense of well-being . When the researcher collected the photos, the participants were invited to tell their stories related to each photo. In the thematic analysis of the photos, three main themes emerged: a) well-being through connection to nature, b) well-being through connection to the reindeer, and c) well-being through connection to the family. In conclusion, we argue that if healthcare professionals are to enhance the well-being of care receivers – in this case older people with South Sami background from reindeer-herding families – they must consider the care receiver's life story and what constitutes well-being for the individual person.