Benefits, Satisfaction and Limitations Derived from the Performance of Intergenerational Virtual Activities

Data from a General Population Spanish Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID15501049
AuthorsAlejandro Canedo-García (0000-0002-0265-4580, Universidad de León), Jesús Nicasio García Sánchez (0000-0002-9464-483X, Universidad de León, corresponding author), Deilis Ivonne Pacheco Sanz (0000-0003-4797-3574, Universidad de Valladolid)
Year2021
Volume19
Issue1
Pages401-401
Publication date2021-12-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19010401
PMID35010661
OpenAlexW4206604426
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited27

The growing social gap between people of different generations has led to a greater interest in the study of intergenerational interactions. Digital technologies have become necessary for people of all ages to perform daily activities, increasingly including older people. The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and virtual tools can provide older people with excellent opportunities to connect with other generations, improving their quality of life and well-being. The aim of this study was to examine the benefits, satisfaction, and limitations of intergenerational interactions generated by the use of virtual tools. The participants are subjects of any age and different social groups residing in Spain and have completed an online survey. The analysis of sociodemographic data of the respondents showed that there is a significant correlation between the use of social networks and all the variables analyzed, except for their level of autonomy. Most participants who participated in intergenerational virtual activities reported the benefits of their social participation, relationships, mood, mental health, and academic education. Moreover, most participants were quite or very satisfied with the person with whom they used the virtual tools, especially if the person was a friend, their partner, sibling, another relative, or colleague. Except for grandparents, people who participated in intergenerational virtual activities and who had no limitations or disabilities were more frequently reported by the participants. In conclusion, intergenerational interactions through the use of virtual tools can contribute to improving the social inclusion and relationships of all people involved

Autonomy · Developmental psychology · Grandparent · Mood · Population · Quality of life (healthcare · Sibling · Sociology · Aging and Gerontology Research · Applied Psychology · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults · Gerontology