Exploring the impact of information and communication technologies on loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review of reviews

BMC Geriatrics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 24(1)

Опубликована: Март 2, 2024

Abstract Background Recognizing the escalating public health concerns of loneliness and social isolation in aging populations, this study seeks to comprehensively explore potential information communication technology (ICT)-based interventions address these issues among older adults. This scoping review reviews aims map synthesize existing evidence on effectiveness scope ICT targeting community-dwelling adults, elucidating types technology, impacts, facilitators, barriers, research gaps. Methods Following Joanna Briggs Institute framework, we systematically searched eight diverse databases identifying relevant published reviews. We included English-written, peer-reviewed all types, with no limits regarding time publication about ICTs and/or for Eligible were analysed summarized, offering a holistic narrative reported their impact, identified facilitators barriers influencing implementation adoption interventions, gaps literature. Results The 39 publications between 2012 2024, spanning systematic, scoping, Various reported, primarily media virtual communities, followed by video-mediated friendly visits, conversational agents, robots, exergames online gameplay. Predominantly positive impacts mitigating evident ICTs, although methodological diversity contradictory findings complicated definite conclusions. Facilitators encompassed individual competencies, access usage, intervention design implementation. Research involved specific subgroups, exploring innovative technologies, incorporating designs, improving methodologies, addressing usability accessibility. Future should focus elderly individuals who can benefit most from use, novel using wider range enhancing accessibility considerations. Conclusions sheds light associated use. investigations prioritize refining outcome measures, gender differences, interventions. involvement adults process exploration technological training hold promise overcoming barriers.

Язык: Английский

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The Social Sustainability of the Use of Information and Communication Technologies by Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy: Barriers and Impact on Loneliness and Social Isolation

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(15), С. 6524 - 6524

Опубликована: Июль 30, 2024

Older people often report functional limitations and low digital skills, with the latter hampering use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) having potentially negative consequences on their social isolation loneliness. Against this background, we present some findings from “Inclusive ageing in place” (IN-AGE) study, carried out 2019 Italy. This study explored seniors’ abilities difficulties independent mobile phones, smartphones, tablets/personal computers (PCs). Qualitative/semi-structured interviews involved 120 seniors aged 65 years over, living alone three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, Calabria). Purposive sampling was conducted, quantitative/qualitative analyses were performed. The main results showed that smartphones PCs/tablets used by older respondents mainly north urban sites to talk family members less for other functionalities (e.g., internet). Those more educated without serious capable utilising ICTs. Seniors using ICTs reported low/moderate loneliness isolation. Therefore, technological tools have potential mitigate both, even though barriers poor health, education) can hinder opportunity. These offer insights policymakers design adequate policies e-training programs) seniors, facilitate inclusion society, thus enabling sustainability an population.

Язык: Английский

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New Perspective on Digital Well-Being by Distinguishing Digital Competency From Dependency: Network Approach

Journal of Medical Internet Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 27, С. e70483 - e70483

Опубликована: Март 25, 2025

Background In the digital age, there is an emerging area of research focusing on well-being (DWB), yet conceptual frameworks this novel construct are lacking. The current conceptualization either approaches concept as absence ill-being, running risk pathologizing individual use, or follows general subjective framework, failing to highlight complex nature at play. Objective This preregistered study aimed address gap by using a network analysis, which examined strength relationships among affective (digital stress and web-based hedonic well-being), cognitive (online intrinsic needs satisfaction), social connectedness state empathy) dimensions DWB their associations with some major protective factors (ie, emotional regulation, nomophobia, literacy, self-control, problematic internet coping styles, online exposure). Methods participants were 578 adults (mean age 38.7, SD 13.14 y; 277/578, 47.9% women) recruited from United Kingdom States who completed survey. Two models estimated. first one assessed multiple DWB, second between related factors. Results 2 resulting structures demonstrated high stability, correlation stability coefficients being 0.67 for 0.75 regularized Gaussian graphical models. indicated that all variables positively related, except stress, was negatively correlated most central node—online satisfaction. revealed distinct communities: competency dependency. Emotional regulation emerged node highest bridge expected influence, associated emotion-focused in cluster avoidant dependency cluster. addition, demographic differences observed. Women scored higher nomophobia (χ24=10.7; P=.03) (χ24=14.9; P=.01), while men literacy (χ24=15.2; P=.01). Compared older counterparts, younger individuals lower both (Spearman ρ=0.27; P<.001) self-control ρ=0.35; ρ=−0.14; use ρ=−0.25; P<.001). Conclusions analysis how different aspects interconnected, component influential. adaptive strategies pivotal distinguishing

Язык: Английский

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Prevalence and Determinants of Loneliness Among Older Adults Living Alone: Evidence From a National Survey Conducted During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Mexico

Journal of Applied Gerontology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 3, 2025

Older people living alone are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. To contribute the understanding of this issue in Global South, we estimated prevalence loneliness and analyzed association between sociodemographic characteristics, digital social isolation, older adults alone, during COVID-19 lockdown Mexico. Data were drawn from National Health Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) Continua conducted 2020. The was 49.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44.7–54.8); while isolation 45.3% CI 40.5–50.2). A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that lack education (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40, 95% 1.23–4.69; p .011) widowhood (OR 2.51, 1.54–4.10; < .001) significantly associated with Identifying characteristics who most likely feel lonely can inform designing targeted interventions policies address group.

Язык: Английский

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The role of the family in re-imagining Islam, cultural traditions and society in the Arabian Gulf

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 15, 2025

Purpose There have been significant ruptures in family formation and dynamics the Arabian Gulf. Scholars usually outline following key determinants: educational reform labour market, particularly for women; urbanization; technology uptake; migration, population demographics; as well globalization general. Few studies explore impact of rapid development on faith nexus. Design/methodology/approach This study is based a bottom-up, granular approach using semi-structured, photo-voice interviews with thirty young male female Qataris aged between 18 35 from diverse backgrounds. It aims to shifts Qatari youth terms their identities, worldviews aspirations role Islam, society this process. Findings Young Qataris, along parents, are rethinking reconceptualising traditions including Islamic faith, context modern, globalising world. includes nuanced changes, such demarcating boundaries what considered unacceptable under religious law (haram) Arab customs (aib), critically reflecting sources authority, imported paradigms West, leading novel – not necessarily liberal imaginations future pathways. The unit one sites where happening. Originality/value World Values Survey labels Qatar most traditional societies world, marked by strong ties adherence. A qualitative perspective, however, adds depth sheds light subtle concrete signals change.

Язык: Английский

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Smart Speaker and ICT Use in Relationship With Social Connectedness During the Pandemic: Loneliness and Social Isolation Found in Older Adults in Low-Income Housing

The Gerontologist, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 64(5)

Опубликована: Окт. 25, 2023

Social well-being of older adults living in low-income housing was disproportionately affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We explored residents' experiences social isolation and loneliness strategies to remain socially connected during As part a larger, 3-phase user-centered design study, we conducted qualitative study using focus groups gain insights into role information communication technologies (ICTs), including smart speakers, connectedness (N = 25, 76% African American). also collected survey data describe isolation, loneliness, current ICT use sample. Participants included both speaker users nonusers. Experiences varied participants' sociodemographic characteristics previous with speakers. Qualitative analysis showed participants demonstrated coping developed pandemic adapt new norms connecting others, technology-enabled interactions. expressed strong desire build community together their facilities highlighted potential speakers making meaningful connections, encompassing safety checks have means for emergencies, providing virtual companion. Access, digital literacy, training, security, privacy issues were discussed as factors affecting adoption enhanced connectedness. This highlights importance understanding unique experience, demographics, determinants health residents develop ICT-based interventions

Язык: Английский

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Associations of Depression/Anxiety with Technology Use, Discontinued Use, and Nonuse in Older Adults

Clinical Gerontologist, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 13

Опубликована: Фев. 19, 2024

To examine correlates of the changes in technology use among older adults and associations depression/anxiety symptoms with changes.

Язык: Английский

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Investigating the interplay of loneliness, computer-mediated communication, online social capital, and well-being: insights from a COVID-19 lockdown study

Frontiers in Digital Health, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 6

Опубликована: Июнь 14, 2024

Introduction Recent studies have found that there is scope for communication technologies to increase online social capital. Although linked capital and mental well-being, a need identify the causal pathways within this relationship. This study explores role of loneliness in relationship between computer-mediated communication, well-being. Methods The used an questionnaire had 217 participants. William's 2006 scale was measure individuals’ capital, structural equational modelling (SEM) explore use, levels loneliness, conducted remotely during first COVID-19 lockdown Ireland. Results High mitigated otherwise negative effects on well-being when interaction fostered Conclusion Overall, proposed model offers qualified support continued analysis technology-mediated as potential source building improving particular individuals with high loneliness.

Язык: Английский

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Can We Take Advantage of ICT for Social Isolation and Loneliness?

Iryo To Shakai, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 34(1), С. 71 - 77

Опубликована: Июнь 20, 2024

深刻化している社会的孤立・孤独問題への対策として,インターネット等の情報通信技術(ICT)の有用性を,内外の文献から検討した。

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Examining ICT Use and Loneliness in the Context of the Technology Acceptance Model Among Low-Income, Asian Americans: A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis (Preprint)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Loneliness is a significant issue among older Asian Americans, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, lower income, limited education, and immigrant status heighten loneliness risk. Information communication technologies (ICTs) have been associated with decreased adults. However, Americans are less likely to use ICTs, particularly if they immigrants, English proficiency, or low-income. Among adults, association between ICT has not examined in context of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This study aimed extend simplified TAM explore associations perceived usefulness (PU), ease (PEOU), low Americans. Cross-sectional survey data was gathered from predominately affordable senior housing (N=401). Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) Horn’s parallel analysis, we twelve items identify factors accounting for variance use. We deployed structural equation modeling (SEM) relationships latent loneliness, adjusting demographic cognitive factors. EFA revealed three that accounted 56.48% total variance. PEOU combined validated subscales tech anxiety comfort, 28.44% years’ experience, computer frequency, tablet smartphone frequency 15.59% PU two assessing technology social connection learning 12.44% The three-factor SEM reasonable fit indexes when control variables, model improved (χ2133 =345.132, p <.001, CMIN/DF = 2595, CFI =.926, TLI =.884). positively (β =.152, P =.011); were positive predictors (PEOU: β =.260, <.001; PU: =.179, =.007); negatively =-.279, <.001). Education =.192, =.003). proficiency education predicted =1.66, =.033; =.210, <.001), while age =-1.36, =.012). Subjective decline ethnicity each =.306, =.248, (r =.249, r =.256, decline, female gender significantly, =-.130, =.016; =-.175, =.001; =-.147, =.006). underscores TAM’s relevance low-income suggests targeted interventions enhancing could increase acceptance reduce this population. Limited subjective should be considered designing future research.

Язык: Английский

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