IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i18p11310-d910260.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Can Communication Technologies Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People? A Scoping Review of Reviews

Author

Listed:
  • Nicola Döring

    (Media Psychology and Media Design Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

  • Melisa Conde

    (Media Psychology and Media Design Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

  • Karlheinz Brandenburg

    (Electronic Media Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

  • Wolfgang Broll

    (Virtual Worlds and Digital Games Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

  • Horst-Michael Gross

    (Neuroinformatics and Cognitive Robotics Lab, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

  • Stephan Werner

    (Electronic Media Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

  • Alexander Raake

    (Audiovisual Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany)

Abstract

Background: Loneliness and social isolation in older age are considered major public health concerns and research on technology-based solutions is growing rapidly. This scoping review of reviews aims to summarize the communication technologies (CTs) (review question RQ1), theoretical frameworks (RQ2), study designs (RQ3), and positive effects of technology use (RQ4) present in the research field. Methods: A comprehensive multi-disciplinary, multi-database literature search was conducted. Identified reviews were analyzed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. A total of N = 28 research reviews that cover 248 primary studies spanning 50 years were included. Results: The majority of the included reviews addressed general internet and computer use (82% each) (RQ1). Of the 28 reviews, only one (4%) worked with a theoretical framework (RQ2) and 26 (93%) covered primary studies with quantitative-experimental designs (RQ3). The positive effects of technology use were shown in 55% of the outcome measures for loneliness and 44% of the outcome measures for social isolation (RQ4). Conclusion: While research reviews show that CTs can reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people, causal evidence is limited and insights on innovative technologies such as augmented reality systems are scarce.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Döring & Melisa Conde & Karlheinz Brandenburg & Wolfgang Broll & Horst-Michael Gross & Stephan Werner & Alexander Raake, 2022. "Can Communication Technologies Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People? A Scoping Review of Reviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11310-:d:910260
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/18/11310/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/18/11310/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ittay Mannheim & Ella Schwartz & Wanyu Xi & Sandra C. Buttigieg & Mary McDonnell-Naughton & Eveline J. M. Wouters & Yvonne van Zaalen, 2019. "Inclusion of Older Adults in the Research and Design of Digital Technology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Diego Zavaleta & Kim Samuel & China T. Mills, 2017. "Measures of Social Isolation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 131(1), pages 367-391, March.
    3. Baptiste Isabet & Maribel Pino & Manon Lewis & Samuel Benveniste & Anne-Sophie Rigaud, 2021. "Social Telepresence Robots: A Narrative Review of Experiments Involving Older Adults before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-26, March.
    4. Graeme Hawthorne, 2006. "Measuring Social Isolation in Older Adults: Development and Initial Validation of the Friendship Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 77(3), pages 521-548, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sherry Bell & Brandon Ranuschio & John M. Waldron & Lianne Barnes & Nadia Sheik-Yosef & Esmeralda Villalobos & Janelle Wackens & Renato M. Liboro, 2023. "Pandemic upon Pandemic: Middle-Aged and Older Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV Coping and Thriving during the Peak of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Bérangère Naudé & Anne-Sophie Rigaud & Laila Kamali & Maribel Pino, 2023. "Barriers and Enablers for the Use of Digital Interactive Television in Nursing Home Settings: An Interview Case Study with Older Adults and Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-22, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xuanyi Bi & Yu Gao & Erhong Sun & Yan Yan & Yimin Zhou & Xuchun Ye, 2022. "Heterogeneity of Attitudes toward Robots in Healthcare among the Chinese Public: A Latent Profile Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Ruta Clair & Maya Gordon & Matthew Kroon & Carolyn Reilly, 2021. "The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Jackie Street & Helen Barrie & Jaklin Eliott & Lucy Carolan & Fidelma McCorry & Andreas Cebulla & Lyn Phillipson & Kathleen Prokopovich & Scott Hanson-Easey & Teresa Burgess & on behalf of the Smart A, 2022. "Older Adults’ Perspectives of Smart Technologies to Support Aging at Home: Insights from Five World Café Forums," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-21, June.
    4. Jane Marshall & Tracey Booth & Niamh Devane & Julia Galliers & Helen Greenwood & Katerina Hilari & Richard Talbot & Stephanie Wilson & Celia Woolf, 2016. "Evaluating the Benefits of Aphasia Intervention Delivered in Virtual Reality: Results of a Quasi-Randomised Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Shathees Baskaran & Ng Chun Howe & Nomahaza Mahadi & Salahuddin Ahmad Ayob, 2017. "Youth and Social Media Comportment: A Conceptual Perspective," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(11), pages 1260-1277, November.
    6. Daniel Arturo Cernas-Ortiz & Lau Wai-Kwan, 2021. "Social connectedness and job satisfaction in Mexican teleworkers during the pandemic: the mediating role of affective well-being," Estudios Gerenciales, Universidad Icesi, vol. 37(158), pages 37-48, March.
    7. Vivian Welch & Elizabeth T. Ghogomu & Victoria I. Barbeau & Sierra Dowling & Rebecca Doyle & Ella Beveridge & Elisabeth Boulton & Payaam Desai & Jimmy Huang & Nour Elmestekawy & Tarannum Hussain & Arp, 2023. "Digital interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), December.
    8. Leal-Rodríguez, Antonio L. & Ariza-Montes, Antonio J. & Morales-Fernández, Emilio & Albort-Morant, Gema, 2018. "Green innovation, indeed a cornerstone in linking market requests and business performance. Evidence from the Spanish automotive components industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 185-193.
    9. Sophie N. Gaber & Louise Nygård & Anna Brorsson & Anders Kottorp & Georgina Charlesworth & Sarah Wallcook & Camilla Malinowsky, 2020. "Social Participation in Relation to Technology Use and Social Deprivation: A Mixed Methods Study Among Older People with and without Dementia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-19, June.
    10. Vera Stara & Margherita Rampioni & Adrian Alexandru Moșoi & Dominic M. Kristaly & Sorin-Aurel Moraru & Lucia Paciaroni & Susy Paolini & Alessandra Raccichini & Elisa Felici & Lorena Rossi & Cristian V, 2022. "A Technology-Based Intervention to Support Older Adults in Living Independently: Protocol for a Cross-National Feasibility Pilot," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.
    11. Margherita Rampioni & Adrian Alexandru Moșoi & Lorena Rossi & Sorin-Aurel Moraru & Dan Rosenberg & Vera Stara, 2021. "A Qualitative Study toward Technologies for Active and Healthy Aging: A Thematic Analysis of Perspectives among Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary End Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-17, July.
    12. Saeed A. Al-Haidan & Alaa M. S. Azazz & Ibrahim A. Elshaer, 2022. "Social Disconnectedness and Career Advancement Impact on Performance: The Role of Employees’ Satisfaction in the Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, April.
    13. Magdalen Velciu & Luiza Spiru & Mircea Dan Marzan & Eva Reithner & Simona Geli & Barbara Borgogni & Oana Cramariuc & Irina G. Mocanu & Jerzy Kołakowski & Jaouhar Ayadi & Margherita Rampioni & Vera Sta, 2023. "How Technology-Based Interventions Can Sustain Ageing Well in the New Decade through the User-Driven Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-17, June.
    14. Sacramento Pinazo-Hernandis & Mauricio Blanco-Molina & Raúl Ortega-Moreno, 2022. "Aging in Place: Connections, Relationships, Social Participation and Social Support in the Face of Crisis Situations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    15. Shen, Jie & Wajeeh-ul-Husnain, Syed & Kang, Haiying & Jin, Quan, 2021. "Effect of outgroup social categorization by host-country nationals on expatriate premature return intention and buffering effect of mentoring," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(2).
    16. Merdin-Uygur, Ezgi & Ozturkcan, Selcen, 2023. "Consumers and service robots: Power relationships amid COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    17. Merchant, Altaf & Ford, John B. & Rose, Gregory, 2011. "How personal nostalgia influences giving to charity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 610-616, June.
    18. Mirela Cristea & Gratiela Georgiana Noja & Petru Stefea & Adrian Lucian Sala, 2020. "The Impact of Population Aging and Public Health Support on EU Labor Markets," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-27, February.
    19. Janosch Schobin, 2022. "Loneliness and Emancipation: A Multilevel Analysis of the Connection between Gender Inequality, Loneliness, and Social Isolation in the ISSP 2017," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-23, June.
    20. Mateja Lorber & Jožica Černe Kolarič & Sergej Kmetec & Barbara Kegl, 2023. "Association between Loneliness, Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11310-:d:910260. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.