Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel.
Gerontologist. 2010 Jun;50(3):382-92. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnp141. Epub 2009 Nov 16.
To examine the contents and characteristics of seniors' online communities and to explore their potential benefits to older adults.
Quantitative content analysis of a full year's data from 14 leading online communities using a novel computerized system. The overall database included 686,283 messages.
There was a constant increase in the daily activity level during the research period. Content analysis identified 13 main subjects discussed in the communities, including (in descending order) "Fun on line," "Retirement," "Family," "Health," "Work and Study," "Recreation" "Finance," "Religion and Spirituality," "Technology," "Aging," "Civic and Social," "Shopping," and "Travels." The overall tone was somewhat more positive than negative.
The findings suggest that the utilities of Information and Communications Technologies for older adults that were identified in previous research are valid for seniors' online communities as well. However, the findings suggest several other possible benefits, which may be available only to online communities. The communities may provide social support, contribute to self-preservation, and serve as an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. Because they offer both leisure activity and an expanded social network, it is suggested that active participation in the communities may contribute to the well-being of older adults. Directions for future research and applied implications are further discussed.
考察老年人在线社区的内容和特点，并探讨其对老年人的潜在益处。
使用一种新颖的计算机系统对 14 个领先的在线社区进行了为期一年的全部数据的定量内容分析。整个数据库包括 686,283 条消息。
在研究期间，每日活动水平持续上升。内容分析确定了社区中讨论的 13 个主要主题，包括（按降序排列）“在线乐趣”、“退休”、“家庭”、“健康”、“工作和学习”、“娱乐”、“金融”、“宗教和精神”、“技术”、“衰老”、“公民和社会”、“购物”和“旅行”。总体基调比负面情绪稍显积极。
研究结果表明，之前研究中确定的信息和通信技术对老年人的实用价值也适用于老年人在线社区。但是，研究结果还表明了其他一些可能的好处，这些好处可能仅在线社区提供。这些社区可以提供社会支持，有助于自我保护，并为自我发现和成长提供机会。由于它们提供了休闲活动和扩展的社交网络，因此积极参与社区可能有助于老年人的幸福。进一步讨论了未来研究和应用的方向。
