Ethics in evaluating a sociotechnical intervention with socially isolated older adults
Open accessAbstract
The purpose of this article is to consider how ethical principles can inform the effective design and implementation of technology-based interventions that aim to promote the well-being of socially isolated older adults. We evaluated a new iPad application with small groups of older adults. In this article, we reflect on the ethical issues encountered at each stage of the research process. Drawing on the ethical principles of beneficence, research merit and integrity, justice, and respect, we identify key issues to consider in the future design and implementation of social isolation interventions that use new technologies. Key issues include (a) providing sufficient support to facilitate ongoing social interactions, (b) managing older adults' expectations, (c) providing encouragement without coercion, and (d) responding to individual needs. We conclude that it is important to report on ethical challenges incurred when evaluating social isolation interventions to inform future research in this important area.
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Technology-based community interventions, including telephone, Internet, and iPad/smartphone applications, have shown promising results in reducing social isolation among older adults.
“There is a growing focus on technology-based community interventions, including those offered by telephone, Internet, and iPad/smartphone applications, with findings demonstrating promising results in reducing social isolation among older adults (43–45).”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [45]
The Conclusion (page unavailable) describes growing interest in technologies for socially isolated older adults, and Beneficence (page unavailable) reports that the study’s iPad application facilitated social engagement. The paper does not report promising reductions in social isolation across telephone, Internet, and smartphone interventions; it also says sustained benefits from its own intervention were difficult to ensure. (LLM, conf=0.85)
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- Waycott, J., Morgans, A., Pedell, S., Ozanne, E., Vetere, F., Kulik, L. & Davis, H. (2015). Ethics in Evaluating a Sociotechnical Intervention With Socially Isolated Older Adults. Qualitative Health Research, 25 (11), pp.1518-1528. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315570136. Persistent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11343/54842
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- Authors
- Waycott, J., Morgans, A., Pedell, S., Ozanne, E., Vetere, F., Kulik, L., & Davis, H.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Benetas Aged Care Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Waycott, Jenny
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-02-02
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1518-1528
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W2151613078
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3
- FWCI
- 13.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
- Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Australian Research Council (LP120100022)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ethics in Clinical Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Keywords
- research ethics, social isolation, older adults, technology-based interventions, iPad apps, well-being, beneficence, justice, respect for persons, research integrity, social interaction support
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Home Care Services, Humans, Social Isolation, Social Support, Frail Elderly, Beneficence, Ethics, Research, Computers, Handheld, Qualitative Research, Mobility Limitation, Social Participation, Social Media, Mobile Applications
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