Publication
Title
Television as a substitute : loneliness, need intensity, mobility, life-satisfaction and the elderly television viewer
Author
Abstract
This study examines television viewing motivations and patterns for a sample of 284 persons aged over 60. Results indicate that respondents watch television for about four hours each day, which is almost twice as much as the general population. A considerable number of respondents see television as a temporal and social substitute. Parasocial interaction, loneliness relief, passing time, boredom avoidance and activity substitution are obvious viewing motivations. In addition, correlational analysis shows specific relationships between living conditions and viewing motives. Interaction potential, mobility and need intensity are related to both temporal and social viewing motives. For instance, widow(er)s seem to watch television to substitute both the lack of social contacts and deficient time structuring. An attenuated integration in society and low life satisfaction are correlated with watching for parasocial interaction and activity substitution as well.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Communicatio : Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir kommunikasieteorie en -navorsing:. - Abingdon
Publication
Abingdon : 2001
ISSN
0250-0167
DOI
10.1080/02500160108537902
Volume/pages
27 :2 (2001) , p. 10-18
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Project info
Publication type
Subject
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.12.2014
Last edited 22.08.2023
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