Designing digital nature for older adults: A mixed method approach

Josca van Houwelingen - Snippe, Somaya Ben Allouch, Thomas J.L. van Rompay*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
74 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are pressing issues that can seriously impact the mental health and well-being of older adults. Interacting with nature can stimulate a feeling of connectedness. However, for older adults, access to nature is often troublesome because of physical limitations and mobility restrictions.

Methods: In the present mixed-method study, 37 older adults (62–99 years old) with varying care needs and mobility restrictions watched a video presenting a walkthrough of a simulated digital nature landscape.

Results: Quantitative results show a significant increase in social connectedness scores and enhanced peacefulness after experiencing a digital nature. Qualitative results stress the importance of variations in nature scenery and highlight the influence of contextual and person-related factors including nature experiences throughout the life span and mobility constraints that older adults may face.

Conclusion: These findings testify to the potential of using digital nature as a complementary strategy when interactions with outdoor nature become increasingly difficult due to old age.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-14
JournalDigital Health
Volume9
Early online date3 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Older adults
  • Digital nature
  • Digital interactions
  • Social well-being
  • Social connectedness

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