Krause, Amanda E., and Fletcher, Heather (2023) Considering the purpose of radio to examine how it can support older adults’ well-being. In: [Presented at the 56th Australian Association of Gerontology Conference]. From: 56th Australian Association of Gerontology Conference: Reimagining Aging: diving into an ocean of possibilities, 14-17 November 2023, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

This AAG-supported program of mixed-methods research investigated how radio presenters might facilitate listeners’ sense of well-being. In Australia today, radio continues to draw large audiences, with high engagement among older adults. We examined how radio personnel and listeners think about the purpose of radio to further consider how engaging with radio is perceived to influence listener well-being. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with radio personnel (N = 16) and focus groups with older adult listeners (N = 32) suggest that the purpose of radio is to stay informed (e.g., news and information), for entertainment (e.g., music), and for perceived social purposes (e.g., communion, social connection, company, and companionship). Findings indicate there are implicit and explicit ways in which radio facilitates the well-being of their listenership. Explicitly, radio promotes mental health through broadcasts and programming, as well as utilizing the medium of radio as a public service for the community to call and rely on. Participants implicitly indicated that radio acts as a social surrogate in their home; someone to keep them company and encourage connection to their greater community. Broadly, perceived relationships with radio programs and individual presenters, built and sustained over time through repeating listening, underpin the radio’s ability to support listener well-being. These findings have implications for broadcasting practices as well as future work concerning how the radio might be used as a widely accessible tool for promoting quality of older life.

Item ID:	81112
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	radio, well-being, broadcasting, social and applied psychology, music psychology, co-design, research translation, community, connection, listening, community radio, older adult
Related URLs:	https://www.aagconference.asn.au/
Funders:	Australian Association of Gerontology Research Trust
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2023 03:01
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520505 Social psychology @ 60% 47 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 4701 Communication and media studies > 470102 Communication technology and digital media studies @ 40%
SEO Codes:	28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280121 Expanding knowledge in psychology @ 60% 13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1302 Communication > 130204 The media @ 40%
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