Bother: a concept analysis and implications for digital health inclusion in older age

Purpose Challenges persist in the implementation of digital health technologies to support health and wellbeing care and self-management in older age. Perceiving such technologies as bothersome, older persons are often reluctant to adopt these new approaches to care. Experienced bother can contribute to a sense of inefficacy, exclusion, and vulnerability in older age. However, the core characteristics of bother, and their implications for nursing, healthcare, and the digital health transition have not been examined to date. The aim of this paper is to examine the concept of bother in the context of digital health engagement in older age. Methods Using the concept analysis method of Walker and Avant, the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of bother were identified from a range of sources. The outcomes of a literature review, entries retrieved from dictionaries and thesauri, and outputs from a generative AI language exploration were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Results Findings indicate that bother is an emotion-based reaction to an interruption and uncertainty. Bother attributes include emotions, judgement, time, and effort. Consequences of bother can include exclusion as well as having a negative impact on relationships and quality of life. Conclusion Application and further evaluation of these characteristics of the concept, in the context of digital health adoption in older age, is necessary to inform the design of digital health interventions and care delivery.