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Let's Play: Understanding the Role and Meaning of Digital Games in the Lives of Older Adults

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Let's Play: Understanding the Role and Meaning of Digital Games in the Lives of Older Adults University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Gerontology College of Public Health 2014 Let’s Play: Understanding the Role and Significance of Digital Gaming in Old Age Julie A. Skalsky Brown University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Skalsky Brown, Julie A., "Let’s Play: Understanding the Role and Significance of Digital Gaming in Old Age" (2014). Theses and Dissertations--Gerontology. 6. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gerontol_etds/6 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Public Health at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Gerontology by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Julie A. Skalsky Brown, Student Dr. Graham D. Rowles, Major Professor Dr. John F. Watkins, Director of Graduate Studies LET’S PLAY: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF DIGITAL GAMING IN OLD AGE _______________________________________ DISSERTATION _______________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky By Julie Antoinette Skalsky Brown Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Graham D. Rowles, Professor of Gerontology Lexington, Kentucky 2014 Copyright © Julie Antoinette Skalsky Brown 2014 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION LET’S PLAY: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF DIGITAL GAMING IN OLD AGE Despite a marked increase in the use of digital games among older persons, there is insufficient research that provides insight into the gaming experiences of this population. A major demographic shift within the senior gaming market has ushered in a new perspective on the use of digital games as a tool for physical and cognitive health, and improved socialization. It is proposed that individual notions of play, which are developed over the life course, influence digital game play engagement and interaction preferences, and contribute to well-being. This study explored how self-perceptions of play over the course of the senior gamer’s life influence digital game engagement. Because the emerging area of senior gaming lacks theoretical structure, grounded theory methodology was employed. A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews of aging gamers was conducted. A total of forty participants (age 44 to 77 with a digital gameplay average of 11 hours per week) were identified and interviewed with the aid of an interview guide. Designed with a life course perspective in mind, this guide sought to explore each participant’s perception of play, personal forms of play throughout their life, and the role of digital games as a component of play in old age. Transcription and analysis (open, axial, and selective coding utilizing the method of constant comparisons) was employed throughout the entire interview process. Findings indicated that digital gaming is a valued form of play and a means for play continuity. An analysis of emergent themes led to the development of a theory that emphasizes three domains: ability, motivation, and experience. Two theoretical models that represent the static and dynamic nature of these domains within the life of a gamer demonstrate the theory. This theory provides understanding of the key factors that influence gameplay, which has the potential of being applied toward the development of better age- and ability-appropriate digital games for aging gamers. KEYWORDS: Older Adults, Digital Games, Play, Life Course, Grounded Theory _____________________________________Julie Antoinette Skalsky Brown Student’s Signature _____________________________________June 4, 2014 Date LET’S PLAY: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF DIGITAL GAMING IN OLD AGE By Julie Antoinette Skalsky Brown ______________________________________Graham D. Rowles Director of Dissertation ______________________________________John F. Watkins Director of Graduate Studies ______________________________________June 4, 2014 This dissertation is dedicated to my sister, Heidi, who taught me to laugh and enjoy life, and to those dearest to me with whom I have played on those many road trips, Friday afternoons or around a campfire. There is more fun to be had, so save me a seat… ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation is the result of not just hours of work, but a reflection of those who have influenced and encouraged me to embrace my academic passions. I am grateful to Dr. Graham D. Rowles who provided a wealth of insight these past five years and challenged me to achieve more than I thought was possible. It would be an understatement to say that I was lucky to have him as an advisor. I would also like to thank my dissertation committee of Drs. Anne Harrison, Melody Carswell, Joan Mazur, and Nick Stamatiadis for their support as I moved from an idea to a completed study. I could not have completed this without the support of my many participants. Their stories are not only woven into the pages of this dissertation, but also into my life as I move forward in the world of academia. In addition, it is unlikely that this dissertation would have ever come to fruition if it were not for the wisdom and encouragement I received from friends and colleagues within the Graduate Center for Gerontology. In particular, I extend my sincerest gratitude to Dr. John F. Watkins who has made this journey truly enjoyable and forever memorable. I am also appreciative of Aasha Hoogland, who demonstrated herself as an exemplary friend with countless hours of laughter, listening, and feedback. It is because of these two that I still have some measure of sanity. I extend my gratitude to Dr. Bob De Schutter. There are few of us who specialize in the study of aging gamers. Thus, it has been a privilege to have a friend and colleague to share ideas and discuss how we may advance our research to ultimately benefit older gaming populations. iii Finally, I would like to thank my family. It is they who taught me the value of play and hard work, and fostered my love for exploration and learning. My Dad told me countless times during my youth that education was the greatest gift I could ever give myself. Let’s hope he’s right. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments............................................................................................................. iii List of Tables .................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures .................................................................................................................... x Prologue ............................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter One: An Introduction to Senior Gaming Senior Gaming ....................................................................................................... 5 Specific Aims ......................................................................................................... 6 Digital Games ........................................................................................................ 6 Historical Perspective on Digital Gaming ................................................. 7 The Face of Gaming ................................................................................. 10 Chapter Two: Background and Significance Play ...................................................................................................................... 14 Play from a Life Course Perspective ....................................................... 15 Historical Perspective on Play ................................................................. 16 Games .................................................................................................................. 18 Game Studies ......................................................................................................
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