Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China
Older people living alone (OPLA) face significant challenges in maintaining emotional well-being, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and social change. Smart products are increasingly viewed as promising tools to support healthy and independent aging. This study explores the emotional n...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1584543/full |
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| author | Liu Yun Liu Yun Rosalam Che Me Rosalam Che Me Irwan Syah Md Yusoff |
| author_facet | Liu Yun Liu Yun Rosalam Che Me Rosalam Che Me Irwan Syah Md Yusoff |
| author_sort | Liu Yun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Older people living alone (OPLA) face significant challenges in maintaining emotional well-being, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and social change. Smart products are increasingly viewed as promising tools to support healthy and independent aging. This study explores the emotional needs of urban OPLA in Chengdu, China, and examines their perceptions and use of smart products as emotional support tools. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 OPLA aged 60 and above. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: (A) Emotional well-being of OPLA due to living alone, (B) Efforts to satisfy emotional needs, and (C) The use of smart products to satisfy emotional needs. While many older adults adopt self-regulatory strategies and express interest in technology, low motivation and usability barriers hinder their engagement with smart products. This study highlights the need for emotionally responsive, user-friendly, and culturally attuned smart technologies. The findings offer theoretical and practical insights into promoting smart aging through inclusive design and inform policies aimed at improving emotional well-being among older adults living alone. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8cd659cace614ad09dcaee70d03c6c58 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-8cd659cace614ad09dcaee70d03c6c582025-08-20T01:57:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-05-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15845431584543Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, ChinaLiu Yun0Liu Yun1Rosalam Che Me2Rosalam Che Me3Irwan Syah Md Yusoff4Department of Product Design, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, College of Chinese & ASEAN Arts, Chengdu University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Industrial Design, Faculty of Design and Architecture, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Industrial Design, Faculty of Design and Architecture, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, MalaysiaMalaysian Research Institute on Ageing (My Ageing), University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MalaysiaDepartment of Resource Management and Consumer Studies, Faculty of Human Ecology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, MalaysiaOlder people living alone (OPLA) face significant challenges in maintaining emotional well-being, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and social change. Smart products are increasingly viewed as promising tools to support healthy and independent aging. This study explores the emotional needs of urban OPLA in Chengdu, China, and examines their perceptions and use of smart products as emotional support tools. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 OPLA aged 60 and above. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: (A) Emotional well-being of OPLA due to living alone, (B) Efforts to satisfy emotional needs, and (C) The use of smart products to satisfy emotional needs. While many older adults adopt self-regulatory strategies and express interest in technology, low motivation and usability barriers hinder their engagement with smart products. This study highlights the need for emotionally responsive, user-friendly, and culturally attuned smart technologies. The findings offer theoretical and practical insights into promoting smart aging through inclusive design and inform policies aimed at improving emotional well-being among older adults living alone.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1584543/fullageingolder people living alone (OPLA)emotional needssmart productthematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Liu Yun Liu Yun Rosalam Che Me Rosalam Che Me Irwan Syah Md Yusoff Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China Frontiers in Psychology ageing older people living alone (OPLA) emotional needs smart product thematic analysis |
| title | Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China |
| title_full | Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China |
| title_fullStr | Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China |
| title_short | Emotional needs for smart products: a case study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China |
| title_sort | emotional needs for smart products a case study of older people living alone in chengdu china |
| topic | ageing older people living alone (OPLA) emotional needs smart product thematic analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1584543/full |
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