The Elderly Perceived Meanings and Values of Virtual Reality Leisure Activities: A Means-End Chain Approach

Abstract

This study uses means-end chain (MEC) techniques to examine the awareness, decision-making procedure, and personal values of the elderly with regard to virtual reality leisure activities. The results of the study show that elderly respondents value virtual reality leisure activities that are fun, safe, and easy. In terms of outcome benefits, elderly respondents value feeling physically and mentally healthy, firsthand experience, and satisfied curiosity. In value terms, elderly respondents hope that their chosen virtual reality leisure activities improve not only their relationships with others, but also their enjoyment, quality of life, and sense of belonging. The results show that, while consumers with different awarenesses of virtual reality leisure activities have different decision-making processes, they share creating “good memories” as the terminal value with the most significant effect. This presents a potential opportunity to promote virtual reality leisure activities. Relevant bodies or enterprises can seek to create good memories in consumers by developing activities that are safe and fun, promote good health, and provide good service, thereby attracting the interest of elderly consumers.

Exploring the Immersion and Telepresence in Gamified Virtual Tourism Experience toward Tourist’s Behaviour

“…There are still lack of x-reality technology used in Indonesia destination therefore, further research can be carried out experimental research through on lab or web based VR [8,25]. In addition, research on the influence of virtual tourism can be carried out for traumascape, disability and elderly [6,34,35].…”

An explanation from customers’ perspectives for difficulties in developing nursing-home service in Vietnam – A study in Ho Chi Minh City

“…A study conducted in Taiwan in 2018 confirmed the above issues. Moreover, Lin, Jeng, and Yeh (2018) also found that elderly respondents appreciate the virtual reality leisure activities that are fun, safe, and easy. For the outcome benefits, elderly respondents highly value a sense of physical and mental well-being, self-directed learning experience, and satisfying curiosity.…”

Virtual reality in medicine: a brief overview and future research directions

“…At the same time, there is an extensive discussion (in medical, social, and ethical fields) on the extent to which robots and VR can replace man in the treatment, rehabilitation, and taking care of ill, disabled, and old people [22,30]. In the opinion of the authors of this paper, the answer is obvious: the participation of new technologies will grow year by year.…”