article · Societies
Digital technologies seem to contribute to health promotion and disease prevention, allowing older people to benefit from targeted health interventions supported by digital resources. The current study aimed to develop a substantive theory focusing on the experiences of older people who use smartphone technology daily and its repercussions on healthy aging. This qualitative study employed Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory approach. Purposeful and theoretical sampling was used to recruit 37 older Brazilian people from a community extension project that integrates nurses who offer personalized guidance and support using smartphone devices. Individual phone-call interviews and reflective journals were conducted between August 2022 and March 2023. Four interrelated theoretical categories emerged: (1) technological progress during the aging process; (2) technological learning using smartphones and participation in virtual groups; (3) expanding social and personal development through smartphone communication; and (4) virtual groups for older people on healthy aging. The core category “Experiencing guided smartphone use as a resource for healthy aging” portrays the individual, social and cultural aspects involved in the habits and attitudes that older people develop to promote independence and quality of life. This study offers valuable insights into the daily use of smartphones by older people, and its repercussions on individual and social issues that bring people and places closer together, expand the social network, and modify communication patterns. The findings indicate that older adults undergo changes and adaptations in their daily lives and in the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and that using digital applications such as smartphones contradicts the stereotype of fragility or limited understanding associated with aging. The findings can also help with the implementation of policies and practices aligned with a more person-centred care approach.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/soc16090276
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
