Play, Learn, Connect: Older Adults' Experience With a Multiplayer, Educational, Digital Bingo Game

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Tiong Wee Seah ◽  
David Kaufman ◽  
Louise Sauvé ◽  
Fan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Educational Game ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
The Social

This mixed-methods study examined the social gameplay and learning experience of 50 adults aged 60 years or more during 4 weeks of playing a multiplayer, educational digital Bingo game with embedded learning content about nutrition and health. The first phase consisted of 4 weeks of gameplay with quantitative data collection using pretests and posttests; the second phase used postgame interviews of selected players to collect qualitative data. The results of this study showed significant improvement in players' scores for knowledge, social connectedness, and attitudes toward digital games from the pretest to the posttest. The interview data confirmed these increases and provided insights on the importance of learning, social connectedness, coplaying, and general enjoyment from playing a digital educational game. The results of this study were also consistent with earlier research studies on older adults' needs, experiences, and preferences for digital gameplay.

scholarly journals Physical Distancing and Social Connectedness Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 37-37
Author(s):  
Julie Lutz ◽  
Emily Bower ◽  
Ellen Beckwith ◽  
Julie Choi ◽  
Kim Van Orden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
The Social

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted older adults; due to elevated risk, many older adults have followed physical distancing guidelines. These efforts, while critical to public health, have also impacted the social interactions and connectedness of older adults. In this mixed-methods study, we conducted qualitative interviews and administered questionnaires to 23 adults age 60 and older to examine how physical distancing has affected their social connectedness; what strategies and supports they have utilized to maintain or improve social connectedness despite physical distancing; and what types of supports, programs, and interventions they feel could promote and foster social connectedness among older adults during physical distancing. The results may have implications not only for the pandemic, but also for older adults who cannot leave their homes or experience barriers to typical social activities for any reason (e.g., being homebound, having functional impairments).

Bridging the Digital Divide for Older Adults via Intergenerational Mentor-Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 786-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Othelia Eun-Kyoung Lee ◽  
Do-Hong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Intergenerational Interaction ◽  
Parallel Fashion

Objectives: The effectiveness of Intergenerational Mentor-Up (IMU), an innovative intervention that engages college students in tutoring older adults, was examined with regard to eHealthy literacy and social isolation. Method: A total of 55 older adults (mean age = 73.82) participated in the six-session IMU tutorials. In this mixed methods study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in a parallel fashion. Participants were interviewed after participating in the IMU. Results: Older adults presented significant improvement between pre- and postsurveys in various outcomes such as eHealth literacy, technophobia, self-efficacy, and interest in technology. Intergenerational interaction brought about by IMU helped to decrease social isolation among older adults. Qualitative data revealed that individualized training, modifications, adaptations, and intergenerational interactions can decrease their anxiety and boost their confidence. Discussion: Study findings enable the identification of the training needs to help close the digital divide and allow these older adults to reap the benefits of technology use.

scholarly journals Effects of Participation in Social Activities on Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongnam Hwang ◽  
Sangmin Park ◽  
Sujin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gender Groups

Cognitive function is a critical health issue in later life, the decline of which disrupts well-being and daily life function. Cognitive decline in older ages can also be understood in the context of the social environment such as social connectedness and engagement in personal life. This study aimed to examine: (1) whether participation in social activities contributes to preventing cognitive decline, and (2) what type of social activities are beneficial to maintaining cognitive function. Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLOSA) 2006–2014, a longitudinal survey of the household-dwelling population aged 45 and older in Korea were used. The results revealed that Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores decreased with increasing age, at a rate of approximately 0.18 units across all age-gender groups, and the decrease was steeper for adults aged 65 and over. Participation in social gatherings was likely to delay the decline in cognitive function after the age of 65. In a gender-stratified model, social activity may not have an impact on the decline of cognitive function for men, whereas participation in social gatherings was negatively related to the decline of MMSE scores in women. This study suggests the need for a gender-stratified policy for preventing the decline of cognitive function while promoting engagement in social activities in Korean older adults.

Students' Perceptions of Older Adults: Effects of a Service-Learning Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. S-59-S-72
Author(s):  
Heather Kanenberg ◽  
Susan Mapp ◽  
Rustin Dudley ◽  
Margaret McFarland
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Method Comparison ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults ◽  
Cultural Shifts

Previous literature has established an improvement in student attitudes toward older adults after a service- learning experience with this population. This study furthered the research by conducting a mixed- method comparison group study with a sample of 151 traditional- aged BSW students. Both groups increased in positive perceptions toward older adults on the Polizzi's (2003) refined Aging Semantic Differential Scale, and there was no significant difference between them. Qualitative results specific to those working with seniors suggest that students either improved or maintained positive attitudes toward this population. Therefore service learning may not need to be specific to this population to improve attitudes but does assist in reinforcing classroom material. Findings illustrate a need for further study of the overall impact of the social work curriculum as well as possible cultural shifts in attitudes toward older adults.

Social Presence in an Online Learning Environment

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Billi L. Bromer
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Community Of Inquiry ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
The Social ◽  
Online Experience ◽  
Online Instructor

Technology alone cannot create the sense of community that is needed for effective online learning. Participants in an online environment can perceive a sense of isolation when social connectedness is not created and encouraged. A community of inquiry emerges when online participants perceive that they are seen and heard and opportunities for active engagement with others is provided. This chapter provides guiding principles for an effective online experience and includes multiple suggestions from an experienced online instructor to create and maintain the social presence of all participants in any online learning experience.

FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS ON THEIR SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL FUTURE IN PAKISTAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-63
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ayub Buzdar ◽  
Hamid Ikram ◽  
Shahnaz Perveen
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
University Students ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Educational Future

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of female university students about their social and educational careers and factors that may promote or hinder their efforts to achieve their targets. Method: Mixed method research design was followed to achieve the research objectives. Three thousand female university students were selected following a multiphase sampling technique to participate in the close-ended questionnaire that was used to collect the quantitative data in the first phase of data collection. Forty female students were randomly selected from the already selected pool of students in the second phase of data collection. An interview schedule was used to collect qualitative data from these 40 students. The qualitative data were analyzed with the help of NVivo following a thematic analysis approach Main Findings: The results showed that the female university students are ready to move forward in their education and contribute effectively in the social spheres of life. Various educational, social, academic, and financial factors that hinder achieving their goals are also identified. Applications of the Study: The results help to make educational activities more systematic, modern, and target-oriented. Novelty/Originality of the Study: The activity contributes to identifying solutions to problems that are associated with the female students’ empowerment and engagement in social and economic activities.

Scholars’ temporal participation on, temporary disengagement from, and return to Twitter

First Monday ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Veletsianos ◽  
Royce Kimmons ◽  
Olga Belikov ◽  
Nicole Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Significant Events ◽  
The Social ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Traditional Work

Even though the extant literature investigates how and why academics use social media, much less is known about academics’ temporal patterns of social media use. This mixed methods study provides a first-of-its-kind investigation into temporal social media use. In particular, we study how academics’ use of Twitter varies over time and examine the reasons why academics temporarily disengage and return to the social media platform. We employ data mining methods to identify a sample of academics on Twitter (n = 3,996) and retrieve the tweets they posted (n = 9,025,127). We analyze quantitative data using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data using the constant comparative approach. Results show that Twitter use is predominantly connected to traditional work hours and is well-integrated into academics’ professional endeavors, suggesting that professional use of Twitter has become “ordinary.” Though scholars rarely announce their departure from or return to Twitter, approximately half of this study’s participants took some kind of a break from Twitter. Although users returned to Twitter for both professional and personal reasons, conferences and workshops were found to be significant events stimulating the return of academic users.

scholarly journals The social cure of social prescribing: a mixed-methods study on the benefits of social connectedness on quality and effectiveness of care provision

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e033137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blerina Kellezi ◽  
Juliet Ruth Helen Wakefield ◽  
Clifford Stevenson ◽  
Niamh McNamara ◽  
Elizabeth Mair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Community Belonging ◽  
Group Memberships

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the degree to which the ‘social cure’ model of psychosocial health captures the understandings and experiences of healthcare staff and patients in a social prescribing (SP) pathway and the degree to which these psychosocial processes predict the effect of the pathway on healthcare usage.DesignMixed-methods: Study 1: semistructured interviews; study 2: longitudinal survey.SettingAn English SP pathway delivered between 2017 and 2019.ParticipantsStudy 1: general practitioners (GPs) (n=7), healthcare providers (n=9) and service users (n=19). Study 2: 630 patients engaging with SP pathway at a 4-month follow-up after initial referral assessment.InterventionChronically ill patients experiencing loneliness referred onto SP pathway and meeting with a health coach and/or link worker, with possible further referral to existing or newly created relevant third-sector groups.Main outcome measureStudy 1: health providers and users’ qualitative perspectives on the experience of the pathway and social determinants of health. Study 2: patients’ primary care usage.ResultsHealthcare providers recognised the importance of social factors in determining patient well-being, and reason for presentation at primary care. They viewed SP as a potentially effective solution to such problems. Patients valued the different social relationships they created through the SP pathway, including those with link workers, groups and community. Group memberships quantitatively predicted primary care usage, and this was mediated by increases in community belonging and reduced loneliness.ConclusionsMethodological triangulation offers robust conclusions that ‘social cure’ processes explain the efficacy of SP, which can reduce primary care usage through increasing social connectedness (group membership and community belonging) and reducing loneliness. Recommendations for integrating social cure processes into SP initiatives are discussed.

scholarly journals The promotion of healthy breakfast and snacks based on the social marketing model: a mixed-methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Firoozeh Mostafavi ◽  
Fereshteh Zamani-Alavijeh ◽  
Marjan Mansourian ◽  
Fatemeh Bastami
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Product Price ◽  
Marketing Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Snack Consumption

Abstract Background Skipping breakfast and replacing it with non-nutritious snacks are progressively increasing among adolescents. This study aimed to develop an educational intervention based on the Social Marketing Model and evaluate its effects on healthy breakfast and snack consumption among female adolescent students. Methods This mixed-methods study was conducted in 2016–2019 in two phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study was conducted through directed content analysis in guidance schools in Khorramabad, Isfahan, and Tehran, Iran, to explore factors affecting breakfast consumption. The results of this phase were set in the benchmarks of the Social Marketing Model. In the second phase, a randomized controlled trial was conducted based on the benchmarks of the Social Marketing Model on 94 students randomly recruited from guidance schools in Khorramabad, Iran. Results The findings of the qualitative phase were categorized into the benchmarks of the Social Marketing Model, namely the social marketing mix, the intended behavior, internal and external competing factors for behavior modification, theoretical concepts related to the behavior, and the role of supporters. In the quantitative phase, the univariate analysis showed significant between-group differences concerning the product, price, promotion, and behavior (p < 0.05). Conclusion Healthy breakfast and snack consumption can be promoted through making acceptable the tastes, costs, preparations, and consumption places of breakfast and snack. Trial registration The trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (code: IRCT20170201032347N1). The trial was registered in 11/07/2018 and is accessible on the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration website.

scholarly journals Risk Perception of Health Professionals in Intrapartum Care Decisions: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina H Peterwerth ◽  
Margareta Halek ◽  
Sabrina Tulka ◽  
Rainhild Schäfers
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Intrapartum Care ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Qualitative Phase

BACKGROUND Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making processes. Differences in obstetric intervention rates suggest that, in addition to medical indications, the risk perception of obstetric health professionals might have a major influence on their decision-making process during childbirth. Although studies have investigated whether risk perception affects the role of midwifery or influences decision making during childbirth, little is known about what obstetric health professionals actually perceive as risk or risky situations and whether different risk perceptions lead to more interventions during intrapartum care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to understand the association of risk perception and the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals (midwives and obstetricians) in Germany during intrapartum care. The study has 3 specific aims: (1) gain insight into what obstetric health professionals perceive as risk in the German clinical setting, (2) assess the extent to which personal and systemic factors have an impact on obstetric health professionals’ risk perception, and (3) investigate whether different perceptions of risk are associated with different decisions being made by obstetric health professionals. METHODS This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study with 2 phases, a qualitative followed by a quantitative phase. In the first phase, qualitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting focus group discussions and applying qualitative content analysis to address aim 1. In the second phase, for aims 2 and 3 and to help explain the qualitative results, quantitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting an observational study using case vignettes within a survey constructed on the basis of the qualitative results. RESULTS Enrollment in the first (qualitative) phase began in July 2019, and data collection and analysis have been completed. The second (quantitative) phase is currently planned, and data collection is expected to start in December 2020. First results of the qualitative phase are expected to be submitted for publication in 2020, with completion of the second phase scheduled for 2021. CONCLUSIONS This mixed methods study will examine the perception of risk and its association with the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals during their care of women in childbirth. The rationale for this approach is that the qualitative data and their analysis explore participants' views in more depth, while the quantitative data will help to provide and explore a general understanding of the research problem. The results are expected to be relevant to health care professionals, policymakers, and educational institutions in order to minimize underuse, overuse, and misuse of interventions during intrapartum care. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017172; https://tinyurl.com/y2zoowkx INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/21443

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