Exploring Perceptions of Dying in the Elderly in Korea: A Multimethod Approach Combining Narrative Interviews, Focus Groups, and Photovoice

This study explores how elderly individuals in South Korea perceive dying in the context of an aging society. As South Korea surpasses 10 million individuals aged 65 or older, the demand for long-term care (LTC) and societal interest in "well-dying" have grown significantly. This research examines elderly people's perceptions of death, reflecting on their life experiences and relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Using a multimethod design, the study combines narrative in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and the photovoice method, integrating verbal and visual data collection.

The participants, selected from senior welfare centers in Seoul, consisted of ten elderly individuals in their 70s who remained active without significant limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Data were collected in a sequential manner: first through individual interviews, followed by focus group discussions, and finally through the photovoice method. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis (verbal data) and visual analysis (visual data); the data was processed with a QDA software (ATLAS.ti 24).

Three major themes emerged: the death of close persons as a turning point in one’s perception of dying, aging and dying as “knot tying,” and the significance of locations and rituals at the end of life. The integration of photovoice allowed participants to visually express and interpret their experiences of dying, which complemented the verbal narratives. By demonstrating the strengths and limitations of combining these methods, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of elderly individuals' perspectives on death, emphasizing the importance of multimethod approaches in qualitative research.