Participation in social internet-based activities: Five seniors' intervention processes

Abstract

Objective: To explore how client-centred occupational therapy intervention processes for participation in meaningful Social Internet-Based Activities (SIBAs) can be designed, and to explore the influences of participation in SIBAs on seniors' social activities and social contacts. Method. A qualitative, descriptive, multiple-case study was conducted, and an intervention was provided to the five participants, who were aged 65–85. Data were collected through assessment tools, field notes, and interviews. Results: The participants' needs and challenges related to SIBAs varied during the intervention processes. Individual-adapted support was provided for the seniors (by the occupational therapist) to managing the introduction to different SIBAs, their appearance on the internet, and the lack of privacy. The association between the seniors' participation in SIBAs and their satisfaction with these activities, as well as their social contacts, requires further exploration. Conclusions: Client-centred occupational therapy interventions can support seniors' participation in SIBAs and their self-reliance when performing these activities.

Key words::

• multiple case study
• individual-adapted support
• client-centred

Acknowledgements

This work was accomplished within the context of the Gerda Botnia project. It was supported by the European Union's Atlantica Botnia Programme; the Strategic Research programme in Care Science, Umeå University; the Swedish Research Council's Linnaeus Grant no. 2006-21576-36119-66; and Luleå University of Technology

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.