Debating the Internet’s effect on social capital and well-being

Elders live longer than the past and often alone. As the National Strategy for an Aging Australia recognises, social isolation is prevalent among older Australians and has been associated with increased risk of depression, suicide, alcoholism and institutionalization (Bishop 2000). People who are less emotionally and socially isolated are more likely to experience less well- being (Hall and Havens 2001). The project aims to investigate the use made of the Internet by people over the age of 55 in order to ascertain the actual or potential role of the Internet in promoting the social participation of older people and in the maintenance or development of social capital and well-being among older adults.

Agency details Contact person Target group(s) Partners and funding Timing

The project will investigate elderly Australians’ use of the Internet. While computer networking becomes increasingly important, Internet use by elder adults is an important topic for analysis. Bassuk & colleagues found that elderly adults with minimal social ties were at increased risk for cognitive decline (Bassuk, Glass et al. 1999). Elders live longer than the past and often alone. Loneliness has a major impact on mental status and is a predictor for psychological problems, including depression (Prince and Harward 1997). As the National Strategy for an Aging Australia recognizes, social isolation is prevalent among older Australians and has been associated with increased risk of depression, suicide, alcoholism and institutionalization (Bishop 2000). People socially isolated are more likely to experience less well being (Hall and Havens 2001). Therefore, it is important to pay more attention to elders' social relationship. A major debate in current literature involves the capacity of the Internet to enhance the social capital in old age. This research study investigates Internet use by people over the age of 55 in order to ascertain the actual or potential role of the Internet in promoting the social inclusion of older people and in maintenance or development of social capital and well-being among elder adults. The study will utilize Internet research methodology (Mann & Stewar 2000) where participants will be self-selected, voluntary, informed research participants on the Internet. All respondents’ information will be anonymous and only reference number (along with the date and time of questionnaire completion) and demographic information will identify respondents. All participants will have the option to withdraw from the study at any time. This study will be conducted through a quantitative research framework. All data will be collected online via a web form which will be published on an existing Sydney University web site (www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow). A mixed methods approach will be used to explore the association between the internet use, social capital and well-being among older adults.

Agency details

Organisation name:

Address:
School of Behavioural and community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney
Po Box 170
Lidcombe NSW 2141

Telephone:
(02) 93519119

Fax:
( 02) 93519540

Website:
http://www2.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/sco/

Contact person

Name:
Shima Sum

Target group(s)

Target group:
Older adults

Topic area:
General Mental Health, Social Inclusion

Available languages:
English

Geographical coverage:
State/Territory

Partners and funding)

Project funding sources:
Other

Timing

Comments on project time-span:
see website

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