Summary

Letter writing was used as a qualitative research strategy to access the narratives of individuals living in rural poverty. Undergraduate social work students in a freshman seminar course were paired with participants of a local agency to engage in a letter writing exchange about life experiences. Community members who volunteered to participate in the letter-writing exchange were identified via their participation in services offered by a local, community-based agency that is situated in a rural community. In the fall of 2018, a sample of 20 community members and 28 students participated in two rounds of letter exchange.

Findings

The letter-writing exchange was an effective way to collect data. The content of the letters enhanced students’ understanding of the daily experiences of individuals living in rural poverty. Data collected demonstrated that social isolation remains a central concern among poor, rural residents. Letter writing supported a sense of personal connection between students and community members; these social connections may have attenuated the pain of social isolation that many community members experience.

Applications

Narrative inquiry and the use of letter writing as a research methodology allowed us access to greater understanding about the lived experience of rural poverty. People living in rural poverty experience a layered isolation that keeps them separate from resources and each other. Letter writing provided connection and rich data that enhanced our understanding of this community.

中文翻译：

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论文线索：利用信函写作来了解农村社区的社会隔离和贫困

概括

信写作被用作定性研究策略，以访问生活在农村贫困中的个人的叙述。在新生研讨会课程中，社会工作的本科生与当地机构的参与者配对，就生活经历进行了信访交流。自愿参加信访交流的社区成员是通过他们参与由位于农村社区中的本地社区代理机构提供的服务来识别的。在2018年秋季，样本的20位社区成员和28名学生参加了两轮信访。

发现

信件交流是收集数据的有效途径。信件的内容增强了学生对农村贫困人口个人日常经历的理解。收集的数据表明，社会隔离仍然是贫穷的农村居民的中心问题。写信支持学生和社区成员之间的个人联系感；这些社交关系可能减轻了许多社区成员所经历的社交孤立的痛苦。

应用领域

叙事性探究以及将信函作为研究方法的使用，使我们对农村贫困的生活经验有了更深入的了解。生活在农村贫困中的人们经历了分层隔离，使他们与资源和彼此隔离。信函撰写提供了联系和丰富的数据，增进了我们对该社区的了解。