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Cited by 24Technology Use by Older AdultsAging, Elder Care, and Social IssuesHealth disparities and outcomes

Smart Speaker and ICT Use in Relationship with Social Connectedness During the Pandemic: Loneliness and Social Isolation Found in Older Adults in Low-Income Housing

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Chung, Jane, Gendron, Tracey, Winship, Jodi, Wood, Rachel E, Mansion, Natalie, Parsons, Pamela, Demiris, George·2024·The Gerontologist
DOI 10.1093/geront/gnad145PMC PMC11032118
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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Social well-being of older adults living in low-income housing was disproportionately affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We explored low-income residents’ experiences of social isolation and loneliness and strategies to remain socially connected during the pandemic. Research Design and Methods: As part of a larger, 3-phase user-centered design study, we conducted a qualitative study using focus groups to gain insights into social isolation experiences and the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including smart speakers, in social connectedness (N = 25, 76% African American). We also collected survey data to describe social isolation, loneliness, and current ICT use in the sample. Participants included both smart speaker users and nonusers. Results: Experiences of social isolation and loneliness varied by participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and previous experiences with smart speakers. Qualitative analysis showed participants demonstrated coping strategies developed during the pandemic to adapt to new norms of connecting with others, including technology-enabled social interactions. Participants expressed a strong desire to build community together in their facilities and highlighted the potential role of smart speakers in making meaningful social connections, encompassing safety checks to have a means for emergencies, and providing a virtual companion. Access, digital literacy, training, security, and privacy issues were discussed as factors affecting their adoption of new ICT for enhanced social connectedness. Discussion and Implications: This study highlights the importance of understanding the unique social isolation experience, demographics, and social determinants of health of low-income residents to develop ICT-based interventions for social connectedness.

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  • By 2024, the emergence of more qualitative and usability investigations indicated that research in the area had progressed into deeper contexts.

    “Moreover, by 2024, the emergence of more qualitative and usability investigations was an indicator that research in the area had progressed into deeper contexts [8,10,24].”

    From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [24]

  • During 2021, older adults faced social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a surge in articles at that time.

    “During 2021, older adults faced social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a surge in articles at that time.”

    From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [24]

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Authors
Chung, J., Gendron, T., Winship, J., Wood, R. E., Mansion, N., Parsons, P., & Demiris, G.
Affiliations
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
Corresponding author
Chung, Jane
ORCID
Venue
The Gerontologist
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2023-10-25
Volume
64
Issue
5
ISSN
  • 0016-9013 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-5341
DOI
10.1093/geront/gnad145
PMC
PMC11032118
OpenAlex
W4387949247
Cited by
23
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 5
FWCI
13.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights (vor)
Locations
  • The Gerontologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (R03AG069816)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
smart speakers, information and communication technologies, social connectedness, loneliness, social isolation, older adults, low-income housing, COVID-19 pandemic, African American older adults, digital literacy, technology adoption, community building, virtual companions, social determinants of health
MeSH terms
Aged, Housing, Humans, Loneliness, Poverty, Social Isolation, Pandemics

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