Meanings of television in older adults' lives: an analysis of change and continuity in television viewing

Abstract

Television viewing is an important leisure activity for older adults. The aim of the current study is to provide insight into the meanings of television in older adults' lives, by analysing change and continuity in their television viewing. A qualitative study was conducted that included in-depth interviews on television viewing among a diverse sample of Dutch people aged 65 years and older (N=86). The interview study shows that television has a variety of meanings for older adults. The meanings of television viewing changed in response to changes in everyday life, but this did not happen unidirectionally. Retirement, physical changes and changes in household composition led to increases as well as decreases in television viewing. Watching more television was experienced in both positive and negative ways. After a loss in the interpersonal sphere, television viewing can play a valuable role in adaptation processes, but it was also experienced as an activity that needs to be avoided. With regard to television content we found that some programmes gained importance when people age, whereas other programmes became less important or attractive. These changes in television viewing occurred for only part of the sample and some interviewees experienced continuity in the status of viewing and in their content preferences. The results are discussed in the context of recent literature on leisure constraints, leisure as coping, and adaptation strategies.

Relaxation and watching televised sports among older adults

“…Such negative feelings can be remedied to some extent when individuals are engaged in leisure activities. Our findings are consistent with previous research that emphasized that watching TV provides an escape from boredom as well as feelings of enjoyment and relaxation (Goodwin, Intrieri, & Papini, 2005;Kubey, 1986;Van Der Goot et al, 2012).…”

“…Watching TV often plays an important role in the lives of aging populations. In general, older adults have more discretionary time than younger generations, and older adults often experience feelings of loss or emotional vacancy (Van Der Goot, Beentjes, & Van Selm, 2012). Such negative feelings can be remedied to some extent when individuals are engaged in leisure activities.…”

Sleep problems: predictor or outcome of media use among emerging adults at university?

“…Indeed, Eggermont and Van den Bulck (2006) found that 36.7% of individuals surveyed reported that they watched television specifically as a way to help them fall asleep. Given that sleep problems have been associated with negative affect (Galambos et al, 2009) and poor overall emotional adjustment (Tavernier and Willoughby, 2013), emerging adults who report more sleep problems may seek out media as a coping mechanism to help regulate their emotions (Chen and Kennedy, 2005;Van der Goot et al, 2012). Additionally, as an activity that requires little physical and mental effort, both television viewing (Kubey, 1986) as well as passive browsing on online social networking websites (Tosun, 2012) are prime candidates for individuals with sleep problems (e.g.…”

“…Poor sleep may predict increased media use over time, for example, as individuals with sleep problems (who generally have been found to report more negative emotional adjustment) may seek out media as a way to cope. In fact, negative emotional adjustment has been linked to media use in both children and older adults (Chen and Kennedy, 2005;Van der Goot et al, 2012). Additionally, given that technological advances have led to increased ease of accessing media (e.g.…”

Older adults’ television viewing as part of selection and compensation strategies

“…Subsequently, the interviewer asked why the television was on at those times, and why the respondent chose these particular programmes. The interviews had two purposes: to investigate change and continuity in television viewing (Van der Goot, Beentjes, and Van Selm, 2012) and to assess television viewing in selection and compensation strategies (present study).…”