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Promoting Social Connection and Deepen Relations in Older People: Design of Media Parcels towards facilitating Time-based Media Sharing
Isabela Zaine;
David Frohlich;
Kamila Rios da Hora Rodrigues;
Bruna Carolina Rodrigues da Cunha;
Alex Fernando Orlando;
Leonardo Fernandes Scalco;
Maria Da Graça Campos Pimentel
ABSTRACT
Background:
Being socially connected is related to well-being in older age. The use of social media helps people to stay connected despite physical proximity. However, some older people are resistant to mainstream social networking technology which they see as shallow compared to face-to-face contact.
Objective:
In this paper, we report the design and evaluation of a novel social networking system called Media Parcels, specifically designed to deepen relationships over a fixed period within a small group of users. The system uses a time-based dialogue running on a network of smartphones or tablets, to elicit and re-distribute ‘media parcels’ in distinct phases between users.
Methods:
Two trials of the system in both the UK and Brazil were conducted with family and friendship groups respectively.
Results:
The findings show strong engagement with the system and positive social effects for both deepening and developing relationships over a short space of time.
Conclusions:
The Media Parcels system was an effective approach to promote media sharing of emotional content for the elderly population. Clinical Trial: It was not a clinical trial.
Citation
Please cite as:
Zaine I, Frohlich D, Rios da Hora Rodrigues K, Rodrigues da Cunha BC, Orlando AF, Fernandes Scalco L, Campos Pimentel MDG
Promoting Social Connection and Deepening Relations Among Older Adults: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Media Parcels