The Big Meaning of Small Messages: The Use of WhatsApp in Intergenerational Family Communication

Taipale, Sakari; Farinosi, Manuela

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-92034-4_40

Cited by 42 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Communicating with other people with coronavirus via WhatsApp developed naturally based on the current communication culture in which WhatsApp groups are based on themes and or social networks and are a major channel to communicate with others [ 59 ]. Respondents noted that finding others in the same situation and having the opportunity to discuss the infection and related developments were of utmost importance as identified in a number of studies elsewhere [ 60 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning about COVID-19-related stigma, quarantine and isolation experiences in Finland

et al. 2021

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has intensely changed the everyday lives of people worldwide. This study explores the forms and outcomes of coronavirus and COVID-19-related social stigma and the experiences of people who were home quarantined or isolated in Finland during the spring 2020. The findings of this study can be used to improve support for those quarantined or isolated and to develop strategies to reduce the stigma associated with coronavirus and COVID-19. Methods The study is based on qualitative one-to-one interviews with households with at least two members and at least one PCR confirmed COVID-19 case. Recruitment took place via website or SMS messages sent to PCR confirmed cases in the capital area of Helsinki. Sampling was based on maximum variation to acquire different types of respondents. The framework of health stigma was used to develop question guides and analyze stigma. Quarantine and isolation experiences were explored through open-ended questions. The analysis was based on thematic analysis. Results The study included 64 participants from 24 households. Perceived stigma among respondents was driven by fear and blame for infection, and it manifested in various ways leading to a reluctance to disclose their coronavirus status to others. Self-stigma developed from conflicting information and advice about coronavirus and COVID-19 led to difficulties interacting with others outside of the house and reluctance to meet people after quarantine and isolation. Quarantine and isolation experiences included uncertainty, health concerns, and boredom. Communication with others in similar situations was perceived vital, whereas discussions with family members about worries and fears related to coronavirus and COVID-19 was not preferred. Conclusions This study shed light on the lives of those quarantined or isolated at home and provided a set of operational recommendations to minimize coronavirus and COVID-19-associated stigma and to reduce challenges faced by those in quarantine or isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning about COVID-19-related stigma, quarantine and isolation experiences in Finland

et al. 2021

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“…Several novel media sharing systems have been designed for the older population, with differing levels of effects on relationships. A number of these systems use situated displays in the home to share materials at a distance, such as photographs, text messages and broadcast media [30-33]. For instance, Garattini et al [34] designed a system to promote opportunistic social interaction among elderly people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Social Connection and Deepening Relations Among Older Adults: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Media Parcels

Zaine¹,

Frohlich²,

Rodrigues³

et al. 2019

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundBeing socially connected is related to well-being, and one way of avoiding social isolation is to deepen existing relationships. Even though existing relationships can be reinforced by regular and meaningful communication, state-of-the-art communication technologies alone do not increase the quality of social connections. Thus, there is a need for the involvement of a trained human facilitator in a network of older adults, preferably for a short period, to promote the deepening of their relationships.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that a human-facilitated, media-sharing social networking system can improve social connection in a small group of older people, who are more vulnerable to social isolation than most, and deepen their relationships over a period of a few weeks.MethodsWe conducted the design and evaluation of Media Parcels, a novel human-facilitated social networking system. Media Parcels is based on the metaphor of a facilitator collecting and delivering parcels in the physical mail. Extending the metaphor, the system supports a facilitator in designing time-based dialogue requesting parcels from participants that bring out their memories and feelings, in collecting the parcels, wrapping them in annotations that communicate the corresponding requests, and delivering the wrapped parcel to a target person. Qualitative evaluation was carried out in two trials with a group of three people each, one with family members (children and father; aged 55, 56, and 82 years old) and the other with a group of friends (aged 72, 72, and 74 years old), over two weeks. In each trial, data were collected in three interviews (pre-, mid-, and posttrial) and via system logging.ResultsCollected data indicate positive social effects for deepening and developing relationships. The parcel metaphor was easily understood and the computational system was readily adopted. Preferences with regard to media production or consumption varied among participants. In the family group, children preferred receiving media parcels (because of their sentimental value) to producing them, whereas the father enjoyed both. In the friendship group, preferences varied: one friend enjoyed both producing and receiving, while the other two preferred one over the other. In general, participants reported a preference for the production of items of a certain type depending on the associated content. Apart from having a strong engagement with the system, participants reported feeling closer to each other than usual.ConclusionsFor both groups, Media Parcels was effective in promoting media sharing and social connections, resulting in the deepening of existing relationships. Its design informs researchers who are attempting to promote social connection in older adults.

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“…Similar to how edutainment communication strategies take advantage of engaging storyline opportunities to insert health messages (Guéguen, 2002), social media group chats are channels where families discuss day-to-day topics and offer comfortable environments as opportunities for talking about health (Coughlin et al, 2016; Zhang & Jung, 2018). The group chat intervention leverages existing family networks to influence Vietnamese family members’ willingness to comply with recommended health screenings (Child et al, 2015; Schmid et al, 2008; Taipale & Farinosi, 2018). FHAs facilitate conversations, provide bilingual educational material, and can schedule appointments for family members when necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…No studies to our knowledge have utilized private social media group chats for health research purposes. Given the potential benefits of intergenerational interactions for health, social media group chats can be capitalized to reach extended family members with important health information (Taipale & Farinosi, 2018). Knowledge alone does not change behavior; therefore, reinforcement of cancer screening messages from family and normalizing preventive behavior through family conversation play an important role in realizing cancer prevention behavior change.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Let’s Chat: Development of a Family Group Chat Cancer Prevention Intervention for Vietnamese Families

Duong

Hopfer

2021

Health Educ Behav

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Vietnamese Americans are disproportionately affected by preventable late-stage cancers. This study capitalizes on the protective role of family networks to develop an online social media family group chat intervention promoting cancer screening among Vietnamese American families. A feasibility study was conducted to assess implementing Let’s Chat, a 4-week intergenerational family group chat intervention to increase cancer screenings. Vietnamese American young adults were trained to act as family health advocates on their private family group chats and share cancer screening messages. The intervention covered material on recommended screenings for colonoscopy for those aged 45+ years, HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for young adults, and Pap testing for women. Ten families ( n = 41) participated. Family group chat content analysis resulted in (a) sharing personal screening experiences, (b) family members being prompted to schedule cancer screening appointments after discussions in the chat, and (c) family members expressing a sense of urgency to follow up with cancer screening. Postintervention survey results revealed that 48% of participants received screening/vaccination, 77% reported intent to schedule an appointment to discuss recommended screenings, 61% reported discussing cancer screenings outside their group chat, 84% felt comfortable discussing screenings with family after the intervention, and 68% agreed that the group chat facilitated comfort around cancer screening discussions. Family members reported feeling closer to their family and greater comfort discussing cancer and cancer screening. Results from the Let’s Chat feasibility study indicate promise for implementing a randomized trial conditional on grouping family chats by age and gender to increase cancer screenings among Vietnamese American families.

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The Big Meaning of Small Messages: The Use of WhatsApp in Intergenerational Family Communication

Cited by 42 publications

References 30 publications

Learning about COVID-19-related stigma, quarantine and isolation experiences in Finland

Learning about COVID-19-related stigma, quarantine and isolation experiences in Finland

Promoting Social Connection and Deepening Relations Among Older Adults: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Media Parcels

Let’s Chat: Development of a Family Group Chat Cancer Prevention Intervention for Vietnamese Families

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