New perspectives of dignity in digital care development and its relation to wellbeing for older people

  • Abraham Kebede

Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Population ageing is a global phenomenon. The societal digital transformation has been sought to promote healthy longevity and play a key role in maintaining intrinsic and functional capabilities. However, the digital divide in access, affordability, and appropriateness of technology across different age groups remains a barrier. Understanding older adults’ digital experiences requires exploring their everyday technological engagement, including both instrumental and non-instrumental dimensions. Previous research has predominantly focused on the instrumental aspects (materiality, functionality, and interoperability) to improve product design and usability. However, a recent shift prioritises user experiences and the non-instrumental dimensions (e.g., dignity, autonomy, and aesthetics). This study aimed to investigate the meanings of everyday digital engagement and sense of dignity among older adults and how this shapes their overall wellbeing.

A lifeworld phenomenological approach, using lifeworld ‘fractions’ as a methodological tool to enrich qualitative evidence and gain deeper insights was conducted. Eleven in-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted with community dwelling older adults from Southern part of England, ensuring a maximum variation sample. Each interview lasted between one and one-and-a-half hours and was transcribed verbatim. The qualitative data was analysed using an iterative descriptive phenomenological analysis and subsequent reflections to describe the general essential structure of meanings and key constituents of older adults’ digital engagement and the sense of dignity.

Six key constituents shaping participants’ digital experiences were identified: digital technology awakening the identity of being and becoming an older person, technology expanding interpersonal realm, technology as embodied relation, technology as constant accelerated change, technology requiring space, and technology serving as a means to an end. Further reflection on bodily engagement, skill acquisition and the social dimension of digital interaction led to the development of a theoretical framework with four typologies underpinned in mastery and disruption of use-object context: embodied mastery, embodied adaptation, embodied connection, and embodied disconnection. The findings also highlighted the range and intensity of older adults’ sense of dignity in the context of digital technologies, its rupture and restoration and experiential and relational dimensions.

The findings underscore the capability requirements, adaptations to age-related physical and cognitive changes and technological pacing. The study indicated implications for practice and recommendation on the role of embodied knowing and its disposition for learning, the quality of digital support and how policies should be empowering older adults, enabling them to exercise maximum control and choice over their digital engagement. Developers should aspire to design and co-create technologies with in-built human value frameworks that promote a sense of dignity.
Date of AwardJul 2024
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Brighton
SupervisorKathleen Galvin (Supervisor), Dr Lise-Lotte Ozolins (Supervisor) & Dr Hanna Holst (Supervisor)

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