Possible tensions between wisdom and happiness have been extensively debated in philosophy. Some regard wisdom as the 'supreme part of happiness', whereas other think that a more accurate and wiser view on reality might reduce happiness. Analyzing a Dutch internet survey of 7037 respondents, we discovered that wisdom and happiness were modestly positively related. Wisdom, measured with the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS), explained 9.2% of the variation in hedonic happiness. The correlation with the reflective dimension of wisdom was the strongest. In addition, wisdom was more important for happiness among adults with only an elementary education. Our results suggest that happiness and wisdom do not conflict.
Objective
There is growing evidence that hand-held touchscreen devices (tablets) can support people with mild dementia to manage their life and engage in meaningful activities. However, as it can be difficult to find apps that match one’s personal needs, wishes and abilities, a person-centred selection tool was developed, called FindMyApps.
Method
To ensure its usability, the FindMyApps selection tool was developed using a ‘user-participatory design’ in which users (persons with dementia and informal carers), and experts (designers, developers and researchers) closely collaborated. In three short iterative rounds – so called ‘sprints’ – the users were invited to test whether the prototypes harmonised with their needs, wishes and abilities.
Results
Each sprint provided insight into potential improvements of the tool. The development team gained an understanding of issues regarding usefulness (e.g. meaningful content of (sub)categories for apps in domains of self-management and meaningful activities), as well as issues to increase the user-friendliness (e.g. intuitive design with instructive navigation support).
Conclusion
The FindMyApps selection tool was conceived as a means to make it easier for people with mild dementia to select apps meeting their needs, wishes and abilities. This provisional end version will be further tested, and, if necessary, improved in a feasibility study.
Quality of life is often measured using questions about happiness. This method presumes that respondents are able to judge their life. Research suggest that this is typically the case, but this is not to say that everybody can. In that context one may doubt whether people with a mental disorder can judge their life adequately. Happiness can be rejected as a indicator for quality of life for people with mental disorders, because of affective and cognitive distortions. We therefore checked the validity of happiness and satisfaction measures in the context of mental disorders. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined at baseline and at 12 and 36 months follow-up in a representative sample (N = 7,076) of the Dutch population, using a full Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Respondents indicated how often they had felt happy during the past month and how satisfied they were with their lives in general. The measurements have a satisfactory concurrent, ecological and predictive validity for people with mental disorders. Though the level of happiness is lower among the people with mental disorders, conditions for happiness and contentment appear to be similar.
Touchscreen devices (e.g. tablets) can be supportive for people with mild
dementia. This study identified user requirements for the development of a tool
for selecting usable apps in the domains of self-management and meaningful
activities. Eight focus groups with people with mild cognitive impairment or
mild dementia and informal carers were conducted using an exploratory study
design. In study one, we identified meaningful activities and self-management
support. In study two, we explored needs, wishes and abilities regarding the use
of apps. The outcomes were analysed using inductive content analysis based on
grounded theory. Three categories were identified in study one: (1) past
meaningful activities, (2) present meaningful activities and (3) self-management
support. Two categories emerged from the data of study two, with two and three
themes, respectively. (1) Needs and wishes of users with regard to (a) the
functionality of apps and (b) technical features of apps. (2) Abilities of users
in terms of (a) physical and cognitive condition, (b) independent use of apps on
a tablet and (c) skills to use the touchscreen and tablet. Based on these
results, we will develop filters for people with mild dementia to select apps
which match their individual needs, wishes and abilities.
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