Krause, Amanda, and Fletcher, Heather (2024) Radio: A social surrogate. In: [Presented at the Fostering Creative Health Conference]. p. 36. From: Fostering Creative Health Conference, 19-20 April 2024, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

Social surrogacy can provide a sense of belonging, develop attachments overtime, and represent real social bonds (Schäfer & Eerola, 2020). Music and radio listening can function as a social surrogate, engendering feelings of connection and community in the absence of direct interaction (Krause, 2020). Radio itself draws high engagement from large audiences in Australia and is considered to be “perfectly placed to tackle the far-reaching social issue of loneliness” (Order, 2017, p. 244). This is important given social isolation and loneliness are ever-pressing societal concerns, especially as the impact on our health is comparable to that of sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and smoking (House, et al., 1988). In this presentation, we will consider how the radio might be used as a free and widely accessible tool for promoting social connection and, thus, quality of life. Specifically, we will draw on our recent research on radio engagement for older adult well-being as a case study. From interviews and focus-groups conducted with radio personnel and older adult listeners, results indicate that radio acts as a social surrogate in people’s lives, proving information, entertainment, and companionship. Radio presenters keep listeners company through perceived relationships, built and sustained over time, that facilitate a sense of friendship as well as connection with the greater community. This underpins the radio’s ability to support listener well-being. Findings have implications for discussions on creatively promoting the well-being of individuals and communities in cost effective and accessible ways.

Item ID:	82606
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Keywords:	social and applied psychology, psychology of music, music psychology, broadcasting, radio, community radio, social surrogacy, quality of life, community, well-being
Date Deposited:	01 May 2024 00:34
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520505 Social psychology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280121 Expanding knowledge in psychology @ 100%
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