Framing Facets of Social Participation: Older Adults' Experiences of "Social Online Meetings".
Maria Löfgren, Anneli Nyman, Gunilla Isaksson and 1 others
PMID 38915208WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults described social online meetings as helping them feel less lonely and rethink everyday life.
Technical problems and group size also limited connection, so the experience varied.
Key findings
01Some participants said the online meetings made them feel less lonely and invigorated.
02Others said the online format made personal contact harder, and some found the group too small for their expectations.
03Sharing experiences helped participants reflect on their own lives, but some were unsure how to continue after the meetings ended.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only seven older adults from a municipality were interviewed, so the themes cannot show how common these experiences are. Participants had attended more than one meeting, so people who did not return may not be represented. The study reports experiences and meanings, not measured effects on social participation, loneliness, or health. Follow-up interviews included only three of the seven participants, so not all accounts were checked in the same way.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest and received no financial support for the research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that social online meetings improve social participation or reduce loneliness. The study reports seven older adults' experiences, not measured outcomes, and some found the format limiting.