title: InterACTIVE Interpreted Interviews (I3): A multi-lingual, mobile method to examine the neighbourhood environment with older adults.
abstract: The global population is aging and older adults overwhelmingly wish to age in place. A positive neighbourhood context is crucial for the wellbeing of older adults. The ability to age in place is predicated on mobility; mobility is the capacity to move oneself around the home and community using a variety of modes. Segments of the population have been entirely overlooked within the mobility and built environment literature; we know surprisingly little about foreign-born older adults (FBOAs). We sought to understand the impact of the neighbourhood environment on the mobility and physical activity of FBOAs. To do so we endeavoured to develop an interview tool that would allow us to interact with the environment alongside, or through the eyes of, our participants. This article outlines lessons learned following design and implementation of an interview approach that we conducted with FBOAs -- "InterACTIVE Interpreted Interviews (I3)". We used the interACTIVE interview approach in a large mixed-method study on FBOA mobility in Vancouver, Canada. All aspects of the study were offered in Hindi, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin and English, with the aid of professional interpreters. Twenty FBOAs completed in-depth qualitative interviews. Of these, thirteen completed the mobile, interACTIVE interview. The interACTIVE interview consisted of a neighbourhood walk, guided by the participant. Our approach integrated elements of participant observation, researcher participation, and unstructured interviewing to enrich discussions with participants. The interACTIVE approach deepened our understanding of neighbourhood context and allowed researchers and participants to overcome issues inherent in language interpretation. We were able to overcome concerns of privacy, safety and comfort to successfully implement this observational tool and recommend it as an attractive, alternative approach for those conducting studies with FBOAs.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health & Mobility, 2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1M9, Canada; Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of British Columbia, 270, 2357 Main Mall, H. R. MacMillan Building, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: catherine.tong@hiphealth.ca.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health & Mobility, 2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1M9, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317 - 2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: simsg@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Joanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sims-Gould
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health & Mobility, 2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1M9, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317 - 2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: heather.mckay@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001955:British Columbia; D004779:Environment Design / Q000592:standards*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Foreign-born; InterACTIVE interviews; Mobile methods; Mobility; Multilingual research; Older adults