Building Seniors' Social Connections and Reducing Loneliness Through a Digital Game

Hausknecht, Simone; Schell, Robyn; Zhang, Fan; Kaufman, David

doi:10.5220/0005526802760284

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Games offer opportunities for social interaction through group or online play (Hausknecht, Schell, Zhang, & Kaufman, 2015;Kaufman & Sauvé, 2010;Schell, Hausknecht, Zhang, & Kaufman, 2016). Playing digital games can promote positive health outcomes associated with alleviating depression, feelings of loneliness, and isolation (Kahlbaugh, Sperandio, Carlson, & Hauselt, 2011;Li, Theng, & Foo, 2014;Wollersheim et al, 2010).…”

Section: Socio-emotional Factors and Digital Gamesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older Adults’ Digital Gameplay

Kaufman

Sauvé

Rénaud

et al. 2016

Simulation & Gaming

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Background. Empirical evidence suggests that digital gameplay can enhance social interaction and improve cognition for older adults. However, if digital games are to be effectively used as interventions to address age-related challenges, it is important to explore older adults' experiences in playing them.Aim. The purpose of this survey design study was to identify digital gameplay patterns, perceived socio-emotional and cognitive benefits, and difficulties encountered in the gameplay experiences of older adults.Method. Adults aged 55 or older, recruited from seniors' centers and local shopping malls in a Canadian city, responded to a printed, mainly closed-ended questionnaire.Results. 463 respondents reported that they actively play digital games. Most played alone rather than with others, and most rated themselves as intermediate or expert players. Players self-reported cognitive benefits but few socioemotional benefits and few difficulties.Conclusions. The results of this study show promise for the use of digital games to provide innovative and engaging activities for enhancing older adults' aging processes. Significant associations were found between player skill level and reported benefits.

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Section: Socio-emotional Factors and Digital Gamesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older Adults’ Digital Gameplay

Kaufman

Sauvé

Rénaud

et al. 2016

Simulation & Gaming

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“…The term social connectedness also alludes to a feeling of belonging, getting provided for, the process of acculturation and being bolstered by family members, friends, and associations (Foster, Horwitz, Thomas, Opperman, Gipson, Burnside, & Stone, 2017). The literature points out that social connectedness explains the capacity of an individual to collaborate (Hausknecht, Schell, Zhang, & Kaufman, 2015). A person who fails to feel connected starts feeling isolated and disconnected from others.…”

Section: Social Connectednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Access to mobile phones played a significant role in this process. The facts indicate that mobile phones are supporting refugees to start feeling better, become more hopeful, develop financial activities, connect with other refugees to maintain relationships, and increase their knowledge of the new culture (Beer et al, 2015;Hausknecht et al, 2015;Stavrova & Luhmann, 2016). Developing linguistic skills enabled the refugees to network with local people and provided opportunities to sustain their livelihood.…”

Section: Mobile Phones In Creating a Sense Of Belonging Among Refugeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Refugees in South Africa Use Mobile Phones for Social Connectedness

Vuningoma

Lorini

Chigona

2021

C&T '21: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Communities &Amp; Technologies - Wicked Problems in the Age Of

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Background: Refugees find it difficult to integrate and assimilate in their host country because of a myriad of challenges. Mobile phones have become one of the main tools for promoting their wellbeing and supporting the integration of refugee communities on the margins of society. Mobile phones can contribute towards reducing isolation and loneliness, and assist in improving interpersonal relations and fostering processes of assimilation. The purpose of the research:The main objective of this study was to examine how the use of mobile phones by refugees in South Africa contributes to their social connectedness. To this end, the study discusses the role of mobile phones in the process of acculturation, in creating a sense of belonging, and in maintaining relationships.Design/methodology/approach: This research employed a qualitative method and an interpretivist epistemological perspective. A conceptual framework was developed on the basis of a literature review. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews and WhatsApp group chats, and analysed using thematic analysis. The interviewees comprised 27 refugees living in South Africa, and the WhatsApp group had 15 members. Findings:The findings demonstrate that the refugees face a multitude of obstacles, including language and culture barriers, the challenge of obtaining legal status, physical separation from their friends and family, and feelings of being judged, insecure, and excluded. Mobile phone usage offers refugees several benefits, especially through their affordances that include accessing information, pursuing economic and institutional opportunities, enabling communication, and developing linguistic and cultural knowledge of the host country. At the same time, mobile phones enable refugees to maintain connection with their country of origin. Refugees nevertheless considered it difficult to develop a sense of belonging through their use of mobile phones. Research contribution:This study adds to perspectives on utilising mobile phones to achieve social connectedness for two categories of refugees: newcomers and old-timers. The study contributes to theory by proposing a framework for understanding and analysing the relationship between social connectedness and mobile phones. The study contributes to knowledge through the investigative approach of using WhatsApp group chat to collect data. The findings can contribute to enabling non-profit organisations and UNHCR to develop strategies and processes for providing interventions for refugees.

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“…Wii Bowling became a topic of conversation amongst participants and an activity they could do with grandchildren, other family members and friends. Furthermore, a follow-up study found it extended the social network beyond the limited time of the tournament as participants maintained many of the social connections gained (Hausknecht et al 2015). The ability for technology-based social activities to foster relationships outside the moment may be valuable for extending networks and connections.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digitising the wisdom of our elders: connectedness through digital storytelling

2018

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Digital storytelling provides older adults with an opportunity to become digital producers, connect with others through story and explore their life history. The authors report on the results of a digital storytelling project for older adults. The study investigated the experiences and perceived benefits of older adults who created digital stories during a ten-week course and explored the reactions of story viewers to the digital stories they viewed during a special sharing event. Eighty-eight older adult participants in Metro Vancouver who attended one of 13 courses offered were included in the study. Most of the participants were female and over half were immigrants. Results from the focus group interviews demonstrated a rich array of reported social and emotional benefits experienced through the process of creating a digital story within the course. Three main themes emerged: social connectedness through shared experience and story, reminiscence and reflecting on life, and creating a legacy. Viewers who attended a ‘Sharing Our Stories’ event reported that the stories were meaningful, well constructed and invoked a range of emotions. The researchers conclude that digital storytelling may help digital storytellers increase connectedness to others and to self. Additionally, this connectedness may extend over time through the process of examining the past to create a digital story that can serve as a legacy to connect to future generations.

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Building Seniors' Social Connections and Reducing Loneliness Through a Digital Game

Cited by 15 publications

References 33 publications

Older Adults’ Digital Gameplay

Older Adults’ Digital Gameplay

How Refugees in South Africa Use Mobile Phones for Social Connectedness

Digitising the wisdom of our elders: connectedness through digital storytelling

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