Journal article 641 views 93 downloads
Communication technologies in older people’s long-distance family relationships, and the impact on isolation and loneliness
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John Percival,
Deborah Morgan
Information, Communication & Society, Volume: 27, Issue: 5, Pages: 895 - 914
Swansea University Authors:
Vanessa Burholt , John Percival, Deborah Morgan
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© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).
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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/1369118x.2023.2230246
Abstract
The concept 'performance expectancy' is used to theorize about older people’s day-to-day use of technology mediated communication (telephone, text/emails and video calls) in family relationships and the impact on social isolation and loneliness. Using theoretical and methodological triangu...
| Published in: | Information, Communication & Society |
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| ISSN: | 1369-118X 1468-4462 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2023
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63761 |
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| Abstract: |
The concept 'performance expectancy' is used to theorize about older people’s day-to-day use of technology mediated communication (telephone, text/emails and video calls) in family relationships and the impact on social isolation and loneliness. Using theoretical and methodological triangulation six mediation models are conceptualized, followed by empirical validation using a nationally representative dataset of older people (≥65 years)living in Wales, UK (N= 2,099). The results reveal that frequency of telephone and video calls mediate the relationship between proximity of family and social isolation, and telephone cells mediate the relationship with loneliness. Text/emails have no significant mediating effect. Qualitative data analysis provides a deeper understanding of conditions that facilitate technology mediated communication. Demonstrating the impact of lifecourse habits, social context and environment on technology mediated communication shifts the focus from individual deficits to other reasons for non-adoption. Understanding the link between the individual, the social-cultural and social structural environment, social interaction, and loneliness requires an understanding of what is important to older people. For example, knowledge concerning the role of embodied presence in alleviating loneliness can be used to better understand the likelihood of implementing successful interventions |
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| Keywords: |
Older people; technology mediated communication; telephone; social relationships; families; CFAS Wales study |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
Economic and Social Research Council; Higher Education Funding Council for Wales |
| Issue: |
5 |
| Start Page: |
895 |
| End Page: |
914 |