Galit Nimrod

‘I can’t be very sad’: constraint and adaptation in the leisure of a ‘learning in retirement’ group

The purpose of this paper is to consider adaptive processes in relation to the constraints that limit leisure in late life. Interview data gathered from a purposive sample of 20 male and female retirees involved in a ‘Learning in Retirement’ programme were used to identify constraints, responses to constraints and the personal meanings of both. Results indicated a variety of emotional and behavioural responses to constraints suggesting five prominent behavioural themes and three emotional themes. Behavioural responses were grouped into: (1) reducing and eliminating; (2) persistence with commitment; (3) constraint as ‘project’; (4) substitution; and (5) exploration and self‐discovery. Emotional reactions ranged from the initial frustration to acceptance and even gratitude for the possibilities that remain. Findings are discussed in terms of the models of constraint negotiation and selective optimisation reported in the literature; but they also indicate that constraints may lead to responses that are not only personally beneficial but are also novel and transformative to some extent.

Leisure in coping with depression.

Abstract This article explores how people with depression perceive and use leisure in coping with their illness. The study applied a netnography approach and was based on data from 25 online depression communities. The findings suggest that people with depression perceive leisure as a useful coping resource. Yet, they seem to be trapped in vicious circles. The more depressed they feel, the less they are able to participate in leisure activities and benefit from such involvement, and the less involved they are, the more depressed they become. Feeling more depressed puts them at risk of resorting to maladaptive forms of coping, which, in turn, exacerbate the depression. The strategies members discuss suggest a variety of alternatives for ameliorating these frustrating dynamics.

From knowledge to hope: online depression communities

Abstract The cybernetic revolution changed the way individuals suffering from depression look for and receive help. Many have begun turning towards online communities for help in understanding and dealing with symptoms. This article aims to examine the contents and characteristics of the discussions on depression in dedicated online communities and to explore the potential benefits these communities offer people with depression. For that purpose, quantitative content analysis of a full year’s data from 25 leading online communities was performed, using a novel computerized system, the Forum Monitoring System. The overall database included 149,216 messages. Results indicated that there was an increase in the daily activity level during the winter. Content analysis identified nine main subjects discussed in the communities, including (in descending order) ‘symptoms’, ‘relationships’, ‘coping’, ‘life’, ‘formal care’, ‘medications’, ‘causes’, ‘suicide’, and ‘work’. The overall tone was rather balanced. Findings indicated that online depression communities serve as a sphere for knowledge exchange, sharing the experience of living with depression, and getting inspiration for coping. Involvement in these communities seems to inspire and empower participants by enhancing better understanding of their condition and by encouraging them to fight depression. Therefore, it is suggested that the communities can complement formal care. Participating in these communities could be regarded as a coping technique, and more fragile depressed people should be encouraged to visit them and participate.

Sex as Leisure in Later life: A Netnographic Approach

ABSTRACT This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the roles of sex as leisure activity in later life and to explore the links between sex and wellbeing at this life stage. Applying a netnographic approach, the study followed a full year of activity in 14 leading English language-based seniors’ online communities. The final dataset of 2,534 sex-related posts was analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. The findings reflect the multiple roles of sex in older adulthood, highlighting its importance, leisurely qualities, and benefits. The community members also discussed various constraints limiting sexual function and expression. Many posters, however, did not treat these constraints as a verdict and reported adopting myriad strategies to maintain sexuality despite limiting constraints. These findings suggest that sexual activities encompass all patterns of leisure in older adulthood and highlight the threats of leisure constraints to wellbeing and the importance of constraint negotiation.

Conceptualizing E-leisure

Abstract The emergence and diffusion of new information and communication technologies have profoundly affected and are still transforming individuals’ leisure. These technologies offer many enjoyable activities often described as “online leisure”, “cyber leisure” or “E-leisure”. Although numerous studies have examined such activities, only few scholars have related to the essence of E-leisure. Based on the principal components of leisure studies and new media research, this article aims to conceptualise E-leisure and to explore its distinctive qualities. It starts with discussing the relevance of the core definitional-aspects of traditional leisure (i.e., time, activity and experience) for conceptualizing E-leisure, and examines which dimensions related to these aspects are relevant to E-leisure and which have lost significance. The article also suggests four new dimensions required for fuller understanding of E-leisure, namely, synchronicity, interactivity, anonymity, and virtual reality, and presents some arguments about possible associations between these dimensions and the core aspects of leisure. Lastly, it discusses the “mediatization” of leisure and directions for future research.

Older audiences in the digital media environment

ABSTRACT Relying on Jensen and Helles’ model for studying the Internet as a cultural forum, this study aimed to explore the extent to which traditional media are displaced by innovative communication practices within the older audience of new media. The study was based on a cross-European survey of 1039 Internet users aged 60 years and up. Results indicated that older Internet users are significantly more inclined to use traditional mass media than new social media and prefer synchronous to asynchronous mass media. This audience, however, is not homogeneous, as four subsegments were identified. These groups differed in their media repertoires, sociocultural background and leisure preferences. The findings suggest that despite the increasing percentage of older Internet users, this audience tends to adhere to familiar media practices, with only a minority making intense use of new practices. With very few cross-national differences, this tendency appears to be universal, suggesting overall media use traditionalism and a second-level digital divide among the older audience.

Successful Aging as a Lifelong Process

Previous qualitative studies of lay perspectives explored older adults’ definitions and views of successful aging as a condition. This study aims at examining their perceptions of successful aging as a process. For this purpose, 207 individuals aged 65–92 years old were interviewed by students, who asked the participants for advice on how to achieve successful aging. Three principal themes were identified: (a) Investments at early stages are profitable; (b) preservation of early qualities contributes to well-being, and (c) internal resources are a key factor in the coping process. Each theme reflected a wide range of actions and attitudes perceived as useful by participants. Findings indicated that older adults consider successful aging a positive outcome of resources acquired and efforts invested throughout life, viewing it as a 3-phase, lifelong process that begins with early adulthood investments, continues through efforts to preserve continuity in spite of changes and losses, and concludes with various emotional coping strategies applied when counteraction is no longer viable.

Reconstructing leisure in adapting to chronic illness in later life: emotional and behavioral strategies

Abstract Although the idea of “constraint negotiation” is quite common in the leisure studies literature, relatively little of this work has focused on aging or the strategies used to overcome health-related constraints to leisure activity participation. This article explores how older people with chronic illnesses adapt to constraints to leisure. Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted with 18 community-dwelling older adults with a variety of chronic conditions. Analysis of narrative data indicated a range of emotional and behavioral responses to constraints. Emotional responses grouped into: (a) allowing for mourning, (b) appreciating what one still has, (c) realizing that things can be worse, (d) welcoming the constraint, and (e) all or nothing. Behavioral reactions included: (a) substitution, (b) compensating to overcome constraints, and (c) seizing opportunities for self-validation in disability-relevant volunteer work and becoming someone “new”. Findings are discussed in terms of the models of constraint negotiation and selective optimization. Findings also indicate that health constraints require a process of ongoing negotiations, which often result in positive changes.

Internet use and well-being in later life: a functional approach

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the Internets role in supporting subjective well-being in later life by applying a functional approach, namely, simultaneously but separately examining each of the principal online functions common among older adults (interpersonal communication, information, task performance and leisure). Methods: Data were collected online from 306 Internet users aged 50 years and over. Subjective well-being was measured according to indicators of depression and life satisfaction. Results: Interpersonal communication and information seeking were the most commonly used Internet functions, followed by task performance; use for leisure and recreation was significantly less prevalent. All four online functions were positively correlated with life satisfaction, and task performance and leisure were negatively correlated with depression. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, only leisure associated significantly with the well-being measures. Discussion: These findings revealed a paradoxical situation in which the most beneficial use of the Internet is the least popular.

The hierarchy of mobile phone incorporation among older users

Older people use mobile telephones extensively, yet little is known about the relevant domestication processes. Employing usage variety as an indicator, this study explores levels of mobile phone incorporation among older users, based on an online cross-European survey of 1,039 individuals aged 60 and up. Results displayed a four-level pyramid structure of mobile phone incorporation with voice calling at its base, proceeding through basic functions and Internet-based functions to media player at its apex. The two upper levels were negatively associated with reported “old” media use (e.g., television, radio) and positively correlated with use of more advanced technology-based media. Younger age, higher education and income, work force participation, and residence in Italy or Israel predicted higher levels of mobile phone incorporation. The findings suggested that the incorporation phase of mobile phone domestication by older Internet users comprises various subphases and that level of incorporation depends on one’s personal and cultural background. Furthermore, results demonstrated that mobile phones replace old media to some extent and complement the use of other new media.