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How can online communities support resilience factors among older adults
Kamalpour, Mostafa Watson, Jason Buys, Laurie
Kamalpour, Mostafa
Watson, Jason
Buys, Laurie
Abstract
Recent gerontology studies emphasize resilience, the process of bouncing back from adversity as a significant factor of wellbeing. Further, advancements in technology such as online communities benefit older adults in various ways. Despite the evidence demonstrating the importance of resilience in wellbeing and specifically in later life, the relationship between online communities’ potential benefits and resilience factors among older adults is understudied. This study undertakes a systematic review of studies on potential benefits of online communities for older adults followed by an inductive thematic analysis to uncover the potential benefits of online communities for older adults. Next, the findings were compared with resilience factors of older adults to identify the potential benefits of online communities that can support resilience factors among older adults. Three potential benefits of online communities are identified: social support, self-empowerment, and wellbeing improvement. Findings show that these benefits can support resilience factors including meaningfulness, grit, self-care, external connection, health status, positive perspective on life, and independence. Our study provides a foundation based on the current literature and suggests future research directions to advance knowledge on the role of online communities in the resilience of older adults.
Keywords
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
Book
Volume
36
Issue
14
Page Range
1342-1353
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled