Escape loneliness by going digital: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a Dutch experiment in using ECT to overcome loneliness among older adults

Fokkema, Tineke; Knipscheer, Kees

doi:10.1080/13607860701366129

Cited by 176 publications

(195 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Time spent constructively also reduces feelings of loneliness (Pettigrew & Roberts, 2008) and prevents cognitive decline (Tun & Lachman, 2010). In support of these arguments, recent quasiexperimental research has reported that internet training significantly reduces loneliness, a proxy of social isolation, in older adults (Blažun, Saranto, & Rissanen, 2012;Fokkema & Knipscheer, 2007;Shapira, Barak, & Gal, 2007). However, not all studies have reported a comparable enhancement of perceived social inclusion (e.g., White et al, 2002) prompting critics to argue that the reported enhanced social inclusion occurred as a training/support effect rather than because of the digital technology per se (Dickinson & Gregor, 2006).…”

Section: Benefits Of Technology Use For Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 52%

Older adults’ experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion

Hill

Betts

Gardner

2015

Computers in Human Behavior

335

212

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As more and more of the business of society is transferred and conducted online, older adults frequently find themselves without the skills to participate effectively. This is frequently confounded by limited physical mobility and a decrease in their social network and contact. This paper examines the lived reality of that process and how digital technology could be used to enhance the life activity of older adults and their wellbeing by increasing their social network. Seventeen older adults (10 female, 7 male Mage = 71.67, SDage = 10.05) participated in two focus groups that each lasted approximately 90 minutes. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis yielded two main themes: Digital technology serving as a tool to disempower and empower. Findings support evidence of a digital divide and how that divide is evolving from the ideographic perspective of digitally-engaged older adults and for society. Discussions also surround barriers to digital technology use for older adults, the codification of digital technology use within society, and how older adults use digital technology in a facilitative and inclusive way to empower themselves and protect them from negative effects of the digital divide.

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Section: Benefits Of Technology Use For Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 52%

Older adults’ experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion

Hill

Betts

Gardner

2015

Computers in Human Behavior

335

212

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The overwhelming majority of loneliness interventions, also those specifically designed for older migrants, focus primarily on improving social relationships, either in quantity or in quality (Cattan et al 2005;Findlay 2003;Fokkema and van Tilburg 2007;Masi et al 2011). Moreover, certain health and socioeconomic conditions are a prerequisite to be able to participate in most of these interventions, for example being in good health to join a sports club; having sufficient income and mobility to participate in social and cultural activities; having some educational attainment and certain language, communication and computer skills to follow an internet course (Fokkema and Knipscheer 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Differences in late-life loneliness: a comparison between Turkish and native-born older adults in Germany

2013

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The aim of this study was (1) to examine whether Turkish older migrants are indeed-as is often claimed without solid scientific evidence-lonelier than their peers with no migration background and (2) to determine the factors that account for the differences in loneliness between them. We analysed data of adults aged 50-79 from the first wave of the German Generations and Gender Survey and a supplementary survey of Turkish nationals in Germany ( = 3,248 born in Germany and = 494 born in Turkey). Differences in degree of loneliness between Turkish and native-born older adults were determined by the six-item Loneliness Scale of de Jong Gierveld. To identify the specific factors contributing to these loneliness differences, a series of multivariate regression analyses were conducted, examining the impact of two groups of risk factors (poor health and low socioeconomic status) and two groups of protective factors (social embeddedness in the family and informal support exchanges) on loneliness. Results showed that feelings of loneliness are indeed more prevalent among older adults of Turkish origin than their German counterparts, which is entirely attributable to their lower socioeconomic status and poorer health. Living with a partner or children, frequent contacts with non-coresident children, emotional support exchange and looking after grandchildren-though important factors to prevent loneliness at the individual level-did not specifically protect Turkish older adults from loneliness, or did so rarely. These findings not only indicate new and challenging directions for further research but also raise questions about the effectiveness of the most common loneliness interventions, which focus on improving number and quality of social relationships.

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“…It was found that for them, the use of email reduced the feeling of loneliness and bolstered social ties. Unexpectedly, it was also found that using the computer also improved the elderly's self-confidence (Fokkema et al, 2007).…”

Section: Programs Worldwide For Dealing With Loneliness Among the Eldmentioning

confidence: 99%

"It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone" The Struggle against Loneliness in Old Age: Basic Assumptions for an Integrative Operational Concept –The Israeli Case

Bitzur¹,

Fisher²

2017

IJSSS

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The widespread expression saying that "loneliness is the No. 1 enemy of old age" has, in the 21st century, becomes obvious and banal now that suicide rates among the elderly in many countries and in Israel, the case study for this paper, is higher than among other age groups in those countries.Loneliness itself, its ramifications, consequences, and implications on the lives of the elderly have made it a dominant factor in terms of its potential damage.Old age and loneliness have been the subjects of many different definitions, studies and theories, but despite the quantity and quality of these attempts worldwide, and particularly in Israeli research, there is a conspicuous lack of any comprehensive plan that would address the implications and destructive effects of the loneliness experienced by the elderly. Many limited-scale programs exist on a local level, but they fail to address the clear need to eradicate menacing loneliness.The authors of this essay plan to outline basic principles for designing an operational concept for a national plan to combat the consequences and effects of depression among the elderly, using Israel as an example. This paper will begin with a review of the definitions and literature on the phenomenon of depression, and a review of the literature dealing with the unhealthy connection between old age and depression. We will then review various programs worldwide that deal with the phenomenon of loneliness and old age; continue to present data on the effects of loneliness on elderly Israelis; present various Israeli programs and projects that attempt to deal with this phenomenon; and conclude by detailing the proposed principles for a comprehensive operational approach that maps out this painful phenomenon in Israel and proposes a plan of action on how to best deal with it.

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Escape loneliness by going digital: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a Dutch experiment in using ECT to overcome loneliness among older adults

Cited by 176 publications

References 12 publications

Older adults’ experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion

Older adults’ experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion

Differences in late-life loneliness: a comparison between Turkish and native-born older adults in Germany

"It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone" The Struggle against Loneliness in Old Age: Basic Assumptions for an Integrative Operational Concept –The Israeli Case

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