Older adults’ perceived benefits of digital gameplay: Associations with demographics and game use patterns
D. Kaufman, T. Gayowsky, L. Sauvé, L. Renaud, E. Duplàa
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AbstractIntroduction： Rapid growth in the older adult population is expanding the need for resources to mitigate the effects of aging. Leisure activities such as digital games have been shown to help with aspects of social and cognitive wellbeing in older adults. Purpose： To identify associations of demographic characteristics and game use patterns with the socioemotional and cognitive benefits of digital gameplay perceived by older adults. Method A survey was administered to 590 adults aged over 55 years, asking about their demographic backgrounds, game use patterns, and perceived gameplay benefits. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric comparison of means were used to identify demographic characteristics and game use patterns associated with players’ perceptions of socioemotional and cognitive benefits from playing digital games. Results： Perceived socioemotional benefits of digital games were greater for males, not living in a couple, living in an assisted living facility, and having a lower education level. Perceived socioemotional benefits were greater for five of the game use pattern variables: playing more than six hours per week, playing RPGs, playing social games online, meeting new people while playing social games online, and playing with others. Perceived cognitive benefits were associated with having a higher gameplay skill level, playing social games online, meeting new people playing online, and playing with others. Conclusion： These findings provide two insights. The first is that variables associated with older adults’ perceptions of digital gameplay benefits are not homogenous and are rather complex. The second insight is that older adults do find digital games to be a source of socioemotional and cognitive benefits. This study provides a more nuanced understanding of the variables that may be influential in older adults’ perceptions of benefits from digital gameplay.Keywords: digital games, benefits, older adults, seniors, game use patterns
D. Kaufman, T. Gayowsky, L. Sauvé, L. Renaud, E. Duplàa (2018). Older adults’ perceived benefits of digital gameplay: Associations with demographics and game use patterns. Gerontechnology, 17(1), 56-67
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2018.17.1.006.00