Galit Nimrod

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev | bgu · Department of Communication Studies

By supporting autonomy, aging in place, and wellbeing in later life, Socially Assistive Robots are expected to help humanity face the challenges posed by the rapid aging of the world’s population. For the successful acceptance and assimilation of SARs by older adults, it is necessary to understand the factors affecting their Quality Evaluations Pre...

Risk perception refers to people’s subjective judgments about the possibility of negative occurrences and the extent to which they are concerned with them. Previous studies have found that older adults who were exposed to ongoing terror threats developed later-life and terror risk perceptions. These studies showed that high risk perception has nega...

This study of 267 mothers of young children explores, for the first time, the associations between recollection of parental mediation during childhood and current parental mediation of children’s media uses. The analysis indicated that the mothers’ recollections were significantly associated with mediating their children’s media use in the present....

Research on the mediation of children's media use tends to overlook the existence of several significant caregivers, who may apply different mediation practices. Based on a survey of 267 dyads of grandmothers and mothers of young children (aged 4-8 years old), the present study explored similarities and differences in grandparental and parental med...

Risk perception refers to people's subjective judgments about the possibility of negative occurrences and the extent to which they are concerned with them. Previous studies have found that older adults who were exposed to ongoing terror threats developed later-life and terror risk perceptions. These studies showed that high risk perception has nega...

There is no group of individuals more iconic of 1960s counterculture than the hippies – the long-haired, colorfully dressed youth who rebelled against mainstream societal values, preached and practiced love and peace, and generally sought more meaningful and authentic lives. These 'flower children' are now over sixty and comprise a significant part...

Many older adults are sexually active, but ageism fuels the neglect of older adults' sexuality in research and sexual education. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess older adults’ willingness to adopt technology tools to receive innovative, tailored sexual health education via the internet, (2) investigate their sexual health needs, and (3)...

Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) are expected to support autonomy, aging in place, and wellbeing in later life. Acceptance and successful assimilation of SARs among older adults depend ontheir Quality Evaluations (QEs), namely, the pragmatic and hedonic evaluations and overall attractiveness. Previous studies showed that trust in robots significant...

This study demonstrates how anticipated and actual interactions shape the QE of SARs among older adults. The study consisted of two parts: an online survey to explore the anticipated interaction through video viewing of a SAR and an acceptance study where older adults interacted with the robot. Both parts of this study were completed with the assis...

We studied politeness in human–robot interaction based on Lakoff’s politeness theory. In a series of eight studies, we manipulated three different levels of politeness of non-humanoid robots and evaluated their effects. A table-setting task was developed for two different types of robots (a robotic manipulator and a mobile robot). The studies inclu...

Focusing on older women—a highly challenged group of information and communication technology (ICT) users—this study aims to explore the roles ICT plays in later life leisure. The study is based on 27 focus groups conducted in seven countries (Canada, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Peru, Romania, and Spain), with the participation of 184 grandmothers (ag...

Until quite recently, cannabis was the most widely used illicit drug globally. Using collective memory work, this study focuses on experiences of cannabis use as part of young persons' deviant leisure repertoire and explores its role in identity formation processes. The study included a group process of analyzing our own memories of early experienc...

We studied politeness in human-robot interaction based on Lakoff’s politeness theory. In a series of eight studies, we manipulated three different levels of politeness of non-humanoid robots and evaluated their effects. A table-setting task was developed for two different types of robots (a robotic manipulator and a mobile robot). The studies inclu...

Physical and cognitive training can maintain and improve older adults' independence and quality of life. Given the demographic growth of the older adult population and the shortage of caregivers, there is a need for personal trainers for physical and cognitive activities. This study suggests that social robots can satisfy this demand and presents t...

Technology domestication in old age may promote autonomy and support aging in place, but most previous research did not follow the process of domestication over time and in real life conditions. To gain deeper understanding of technology domestication in later life, we simultaneously explored uses, outcomes and constraints in real life conditions i...

Aiming to explore the impact of politeness on Human robot interaction, this study tested varying levels of politeness in a human robot collaborative table setting task. Polite behaviour was designed based on the politeness rules of Lakoff. A graphical user interface was developed for the interaction with the robot offering three levels of politenes...

Older individuals who face overwhelming threats may develop a Hostile World Scenario (HWS). Internet use may be helpful in regulating HWS, but technophobia – fear of or discomfort with modern technologies, a phenomenon especially common among older adults – may constrain users’ online activity and the benefits derived therefrom. Relying on an onlin...

Various factors determine the use of media in later life. Nevertheless, spatial inequalities among older media users have been accorded little attention in academic research. This study aimed to explore differences in variety (number) and intensity (duration) of both traditional and new media use among older adults residing in various types of loca...

This study examines identity work among older gay men in relation to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It draws on the notion of IT identity—the extent to which individuals experience technology as integral to their sense of selves—to explore how their homosexuality and advanced age shape their relationships with technology. Applying...

Objective Our aim was to understand family conflicts, specifically those involving grandmothers, related to use of new communication technologies. Background Research shows that tension between family members in intergenerational contexts arises in relation to technology. This is especially common when attitudes toward technology differ among fami...

Objective: Older adults are largely ignored in studies of technostress (stress induced by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use). This study aimed at exploring individual and contextual antecedents to technostress among older ICT users. Methods: Online surveys with ICT users aged 60 years and above were conducted in 2016 (N=537) and d...

Based on online surveys conducted in the United States and Israel, this study explored grandmothers' involvement in mediation of their grandchildren's digital media use. Study participants were highly involved in restrictive, instructive and supervising mediation-and to a much lesser degree in co-use and technological mediation. Their involvement w...

Studies have demonstrated the importance of online activities to wellbeing, especially in later life. The present study seeks to determine whether and how online religious counseling can improve the wellbeing of older believers. A six-month qualitative study was conducted with a group of Orthodox Jewish older adults (N = 26, aged 70-96) who manifes...

This study aimed at revealing the factors determining grandparental mediation of their grandchildren's screen viewing and interactive media use, based on online surveys conducted among 291 American and 356 Israeli grandparents who reported taking care of 2-to-7 years old grandchildren at least once a week. Past mediation, familiarity with children'...

Findings from a pioneering study in Israel, which combined an online survey of grandparents of children aged 2 to 7 years with in-depth interviews, suggest that grandparents apply a complex set of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours to grandchildren’s media use. A clear distinction was noted between mediation of non-interactive and interactive med...

Relying on the Innovation theory of successful aging, this study aims at exploring how grandmothers around the world perceive and use Facebook. Twenty-seven focus groups were set up in seven countries: Canada, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Peru, Romania, and Spain. Participants consisted of 184 grandmothers aged 65 and over who use information and commu...

Objective To explore older people's use of the Internet for coping with stress posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An online survey with a random sample of 407 Internet users aged 60 years and over (Mean=69.14). Results Participants reported a significant increase in 7 out of 12 Internet-based functions following the pandemic onset. Stress le...

Staying healthy while following social distancing protocols is of great importance to older adults due to increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19. Mild to moderate physical activity improves immune system responses to viral respiratory infections. Additionally, social engagement has cumulative health protective benefits across the lif...

Studies exploring digital technology in the context of leisure for older people tend to neglect their parallel use of traditional media. By simultaneous examination of both online and offline recreational media use, the present study explores media-based leisure repertoires and wellbeing among older Internet users. Data were collected via a survey...

The Ageing + Communication + Technologies (ACT) cross-national longitudinal study explores processes of displacement of traditional dominant media by innovative communication practices within the older audience of new media. Replicating Nimrod’s (2017) study of older audiences, data is collected on a biannual basis. The first wave of data collect...

Although many grandparents are involved in caring for their grandchildren, they were completely ignored in previous research on mediation of children's media use. Informed by the Grandfather Involvement Framework and the Process Model of the Determinants of Grandparenting, the present study aims at exploring variations among grandparents in mediati...

An increasing number of studies explore various aspects of new media use in later life, but most ignore the parallel use of traditional mass media among older adults. Relying on technological and functional approaches in communications research, this study explores how media displacement processes serve as mechanisms that regulate seniors’ media co...

This qualitative research sought to explore whether participation in online religious communities can alleviate distress in later life. Twenty-six religious individuals aged 70-96 were trained to use an experimental forum. Their experiences and online activities were documented for six months via interviews, media ethno-graphies, online observation...

Objectives: Studies show that using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contributes significantly to elders' Subjective WellBeing (SWB). Drawing on the Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model, this study aims at exploring the mechanism by which ICT use helps older adults remain engaged in valued life activities and maintain...

Objectives: Previous studies pointed at positive associations between spirituality and Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) in later life, but were typically limited to one dimension of spirituality and/or one measure of SWB. Applying Fisher's (2010) multidimensional approach to spirituality and measuring both positive and negative aspects of SWB, this study...

A substantial effort was made over the years to reveal predictors of children’s screen time in an attempt to suggest effective ways to minimize its negative effects. Studies were mostly based on parents’ reports and ignored other major caregivers, particularly grandparents. Accordingly, this study offers a pioneer exploration of young children’s in...

Based on a survey of 6,989 individuals aged 60 and up from six countries (Austria, Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain), this study aimed at exploring the extent to which digital media practices complement and/or replace print media among older internet users. Results indicated a relative strength of print media among this audience...

Background and objectives: Implementation of robotics technology in eldercare depends on successful human-robot interaction (HRI). Relying on a systematic literature review, this article proposes a holistic approach to the study of such interaction. Research design and methods: A literature search was carried out in five databases. A Boolean phr...

This study presents the development of a new scale for measuring mediation of children's noninteractive and interactive media use by their caregivers. Comprising two subscales, this 16-item measure was tested in a pilot study and then included in an online survey of 356 grandparents. The mediation constructs had good internal homogeneity, significa...

Research has shown that Internet use contributes to subjective wellbeing (SWB) in later life, emphasizing the significance of online leisure. Seeking new directions in human-computer interaction (HCI) research among older people, this chapter suggests three pathways towards a better understanding of the roles online leisure plays in older adults’ S...

This study aimed at exploring whether cyberspace and the anonymity it provides can be useful in coping with leisure constraints that originate in gender stereotypes. The study was based on a survey that measured perceptions of parallel online and offline forms of masculine, feminine, and gender neutral leisure activities among 240 Internet users be...

Involving teams from seven countries (Austria, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Netherlands, Romania, and Spain) this Ageing + Communication + Technologies (ACT) project offers a unique opportunity to explore possible processes of displacement of traditional dominant media by innovative communication practices within the older audience of new media. Replic...

Background and objectives: Focusing on sex, the most salient topic featured in ageist jokes, this study aims at exploring the extent to which seniors' own humor reflects common ageist stereotypes or rather echoes contemporary consumer society representations of seniors' sexuality. Research design and methods: The study was based on a quantitativ...

Internet use may be helpful in maintaining older adults’ independence, social connectedness and quality of life. High levels of technophobia (fear of modern technologies or discomfort with them), however, may constrain older Internet users’ online activity and limit the benefits they derive therefrom. The literature on technophobia in later life te...

This research applies a netnographic approach to explore the extent to which online communities function as a third space that supports a networked religion. Five months of observation at a leading online ultra-Orthodox Jewish forum revealed four chief characteristics: religious–secular discussion—the forum served as a platform for religious discou...

Objectives: Technostress is stress induced by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use. Research on the topic has focused primarily on the workforce and tended to overlook senior citizens. This study presents the development of a new scale, which was designed to measure technostress specifically among older adults. Method: The scale explo...

This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the roles of sex as leisure activity in later life and to explore the links between sex and wellbeing at this life stage. Applying a netnographic approach, the study followed a full year of activity in 14 leading English language-based seniors' online communities. The final dataset of 2,534 s...

Using data from the 2010 China Family Panel Studies, we analyze the association between Internet use and various measures of subjective well-being (SWB) in a sample of 16- to 60-year-old Chinese. Our analysis shows that although intensive Internet use is significantly associated with lower levels of SWB, we hardly observe any associations when the...

Relying on Jensen and Helles’ model for studying the Internet as a cultural forum, this study aimed to explore the extent to which traditional media are displaced by innovative communication practices within the older audience of new media. The study was based on a cross-European survey of 1039 Internet users aged 60 years and up. Results indicated...

Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the Internet's role in supporting subjective well-being in later life by applying a functional approach, namely, simultaneously but separately examining each of the principal online functions common among older adults (interpersonal communication, information, task performance and leisure). Methods: Data...

Background: Risk perception is a subjective assessment of the actual or potential threat to one's life or, more broadly, to one's psychological well-being. Given the various risks associated with later life, a valid and reliable integrative screening tool for assessing risk perception among the elderly is warranted. Objectives: The study examine...

A full free version of this paper is available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/3k5QgzYyz3VjGYnTjjWm/full This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the roles of sex as leisure activity in later life and to explore the links between sex and wellbeing at this life stage. Applying a netnographic approach, the study followed a full...

The innovation theory of successful aging differentiates between Self-Preservation Innovation (SPI) and Self-Reinvention Innovation (SRI), suggesting that both contribute to well-being in later life. Based on a telephone survey of 545 retirees aged 60 and over, this study aimed at examining the two types of innovation in leisure and their associati...

Older people use mobile telephones extensively, yet little is known about the relevant domestication processes. Employing usage variety as an indicator, this study explores levels of mobile phone incorporation among older users, based on an online cross-European survey of 1,039 individuals aged 60 and up. Results displayed a four-level pyramid stru...

Relying on Jensen and Helles’ model for studying the Internet as a cultural forum, this study aimed to explore the extent to which traditional media are displaced by innovative communication practices within the older audience of new media. The study was based on a cross-European survey of 1039 Internet users aged 60 years and up. Results indicated...

Previous studies of older Information and Communication Technology (ICT) users revealed positive associations between ICT use and well-being in later life. Little is known, however, about the mechanism by which ICT use promotes well-being in old age. Relying on the conceptual framework of the Self-management of well-being theory (Steverink - Linden...

Objective: Numerous studies have shown that involvement in leisure activity has a significant impact on older adults' physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. This study explores whether the association between leisure involvement and well-being in later life changes over time. Method: Data were drawn from the first 4 waves of...

This chapter seeks to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the various roles technology plays in twenty-first century leisure. It contends that under current technological realities, technology may simultaneously enhance leisure, function as leisure and constrain leisure. Furthermore, it argues that one should differentiate between “low...

This article examines the leisure behaviour and post retirement life satisfaction of a sample of 545 retirees aged 60 or more years in an Israeli national survey. Multivariate analyses identified four sub-segments among this audience based on their leisure styles: ‘culture enthusiasts’, ‘media consumers’, ‘less-involved elders’, and ‘traditionalist...

Seniors’ online communities offer them a safe sphere for discussing sex-related concerns. This netnographic study explored the characteristics of sex-related discussions in such communities and followed online sex-related discussions that took place in 14 leading English language-based communities during one full year (2,534 posts). Analysis reveal...

Previous qualitative studies of lay perspectives explored older adults’ definitions and views of successful aging as a condition. This study aims at examining their perceptions of successful aging as a process. For this purpose, 207 individuals aged 65–92 years old were interviewed by students, who asked the participants for advice on how to achiev...

Morningness-eveningness is an individual difference that explains variations in rhythmic expression of biological and behavioral patterns. Based on an online survey of 1,210 Internet users, this study explores differences between day and night persons in their media preferences, uses, and environments. Findings indicate that morning persons are inc...

Jensen and Helles’ model for studying the Internet as a cultural forum describes six prototypical communicative practices based on synchronicity and number of participants. This study seeks to examine the validity of their model in a broader intercultural setting. Using data from a large-scale, cross-European research project, the study reveals tha...

The controversy concerning the future displacement of print media is an ongoing dispute among stakeholders and academic experts. Based on the model of displacement or resilience of a given medium, this study explores the print media audience, primarily by comparing the time spent reading print media with that allotted to consuming their digital equ...

Dafna Lemish has been studying the role of media in children’s lives for three decades and Galit Nimrod has been studying independently those related to the older adults for 15 years. Our recent interactions have surprisingly led us to discover how much in common the two areas of scholarship have. We make the case for the substantial commonalities,...

This Themed Section of Participations aims at illuminating the relationship between media audiences, their media consumption cultures and the social formations called “generations”. It has been influenced by the inspirational cross working-group initiative meetings of the scholars working on the field of media and generations in COST Action IS0906...

Similar to many Western and non-Western countries, the Israeli population is rapidly aging. The number of seniors aged 65 years and over is currently 800,000 (about ten percent of the population), and it is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2030 (Mashav, 2011; 2012). One of the main reasons for this trend is Israeli extended longevity, thanks to bet...

This chapter aims to explore the potential value of seniors’ online communities for the well-being of older adults. Based on a series of studies that utilized various methods (including content analysis, virtual ethnography, and online survey with community members), this chapter demonstrates how all the utilities of information and communication t...

Objectives.Participation in online communities that are dedicated to older adults is a significant trend in elders' use of the Internet. The present study aimed to explore the audience of these communities and to discover possible subsegments within that audience and the differences among them. The study was based on an online survey of 218 members...

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between the intensity of participation in online depression communities and the benefits users gain from participation. The study was based on an online survey of 631 users in 16 English language-based online depression communities. Results indicated that there were several differences bet...

As a freely chosen activity intended to generate pleasure and enjoyment, sex is an important human experience associated with a sense of “normality” and well-being. However, depression and antidepressants are typically associated with decreased libido and diminished sexual functioning. Drawing upon netnography and constructivist grounded theory, th...

One of the main weaknesses of studies on older Internet users is a lack of differentiation among users. This study sought to explore whether gerontographics, an approach to segmentation of older adults based on individual psychological and physical well-being, is applicable in research on older Internet users. For that purpose, the study examined m...

This chapter aims to explore the association between the type of participation in health-related OSGs (i.e., posting vs. lurking) and psychological well-being. The chapter is based on a recently completed research project that examined OSGs for people with depression and explored members’ participation patterns, interests, and benefits gained from...

This article explores how people with depression perceive and use leisure in coping with their illness. The study applied a netnography approach and was based on data from 25 online depression communities. The findings suggest that people with depression perceive leisure as a useful coping resource. Yet, they seem to be trapped in vicious circles....

Most previous studies on online communities (peer-to-peer support groups) dedicated to people with depression related to members as a homogeneous group, and none examined differences between segments based on psychographic measures. Such segmentation may be most helpful in understanding members' participation patterns and explaining the benefits me...

Participation in seniors’ online communities is a significant trend in elders’ leisure use of the Internet. Based on an online survey of 218 members of 16 communities, this study explored the experience of participation in such communities. Results identified seven psychological benefits resulting from participation, the most salient being ‘Joyfuln...

The emergence and diffusion of new information and communication technologies have profoundly affected and are still transforming individuals’ leisure. These technologies offer many enjoyable activities often described as “online leisure”, “cyber leisure” or “E-leisure”. Although numerous studies have examined such activities, only few scholars hav...

While women are at a greater risk for depression, men with depression are at a greater risk for mistimed and inadequate treatment. Online depression communities offer immediate support for both genders, and may reduce the risk for those depressed men who avoid the traditional mental healthcare system. This study aimed to explore gender differences...

Drawing on the model of Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) (Baltes & Baltes, 1990), the purpose of this article is to examine leisure-related goals of older adults with chronic conditions and the strategies they use to not only successfully manage their chronic health conditions but live well with them. Semi-structured in-person intervi...

This article aims to explore how using the internet may facilitate coping with the challenges of immigration in later life, based on the case of older Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union in Israel. For that purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with 32 immigrants living in southern Israel. Results indicated that internet usages by...

This article aims to examine patterns of innovation in older adults' tourism, and to explore whether innovation is associated with the benefits gained from the overall tourism experience. The study was based on a national mail survey of 298 retirees, who travelled abroad at least once in the year prior to the survey. Results indicated that particip...

The cybernetic revolution changed the way individuals suffering from depression look for and receive help. Many have begun turning towards online communities for help in understanding and dealing with symptoms. This article aims to examine the contents and characteristics of the discussions on depression in dedicated online communities and to explo...

Purpose of the study:Previous research found that tourism is a subject commonly discussed in seniors’ online communities. The present study aimed to explore tourism-related contents in these communities and to discover specific age-related themes. Design and Methods: The study applied an online ethnography (Netnography) approach, and was based on a...