Scholar Highlight – Sebastian Glasper

Analysis title: What’s the function of social media communication in older folks’s lives and to what extent can it assist mitigate loneliness?
 

This examine explores the nuanced function of social media and its capabilities in addressing loneliness amongst older adults (ages 65+). Using an interdisciplinary strategy, the examine combines insights from media, sociology, psychology, and medical literature to discover the perceptions of older people relating to social media. The first methodology consists of an internet survey involving 20 members, complemented by a radical literature evaluation that reveals a analysis hole in qualitative understandings of older adults perceptions of social media’s capabilities.

Findings uncovered 5 key themes coded inside responses: neighborhood, mistrust, technological disadvantages, verbal communication, and hobbies. The survey additionally together with scaling metrics to offer a extra thorough quantitative understanding as social media use for older adults. The examination of social media use highlights a dichotomy, with roughly 80% of respondents partaking with various levels of involvement. Causes for discontinuation or abstention revolve round mistrust and technological limitations. The dialogue underscores social media’s multifaceted function, emphasizing its potential to reinforce connections whereas recognizing its limitations.

In conclusion, social media ought to be thought-about a supplementary software, not a substitute for in-person communication, and there’s a vital want for additional analysis to deepen our understanding of the complicated dynamics concerned on this under-explored subject. Outcomes from the examine goal to carry consciousness to the urgent challenge of older adults loneliness, as one in three older adults have frequent emotions of loneliness in 2023 (Malani et al., 2023). Moreover, on account of taking a novel strategy to the examine I’ve been in a position to work with the Reimagine Ageing Community throughout the College of Leeds offering a social sciences and humanities views to what are scientific discussions.

The place did your ardour for this analysis originate?

My concepts for this analysis originates from a private place, partly stemming for issues for the well-being of my family which was heightened in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnessing the isolation all of us skilled be worsened for older members of the family attributable to limitations for connection drove me to wish to perceive this challenge. The continued isolation of many post-COVID-19 (this consists of those that have been deemed medically weak) mixed with the growing reviews of loneliness for all age teams however particularly older adults solely solidified the significance of the difficulty to me. Psychological well being is an individualistic factor, all of us have our personal story with it, nevertheless so many are going through exacerbated struggles due to an absence of avenues for communication. Loneliness the illness can have a profound influence in your bodily in addition to psychological well being.

Moreover, my curiosity in how digital media influences psychological well being has roots in my previous educational pursuits. Throughout sixth type, I undertook an Prolonged Venture Qualification (EPQ) that delved into the cognitive growth of younger youngsters (ages 2-6) and the way YouTube’s algorithms can form their experiences. This early exploration sparked my curiosity concerning the broader results of digital media on psychological well being throughout totally different age teams.

Psychological well being has been a key a part of my life for a very long time, it’s an on a regular basis course of and I’m very grateful that on a regular basis it additionally will get simpler. I might hope that my very own private understanding of the difficulty has in some methods allowed me to carry empathy and compassion to such a private challenge for a lot of. 

What’s the most memorable second out of your Laidlaw scholarship expertise thus far?

The time I nearly cried on a mountainside (tad dramatic!). The management residential in my first Laidlaw summer time was very memorable and sure the Yorkshire Dales mountains will all the time stick out to me as a problem bodily and mentally. What I keep in mind probably the most was truly the actions of different students in my cohort. The outdoorsy nature of the residential challenged many people in another way and I didn’t count on my worry of heights to be a lot of a problem till we obtained up there. However I nonetheless keep in mind how grateful I used to be for folks’s endurance and compassion even when they themselves have been wonderful. It was a extremely small factor nevertheless it made me mirror so much about what number of instances have I charged forward with out consideration for these behind. Generally it’s price taking the gradual route collectively. 

What’s the largest problem you got here throughout in your analysis and management journeys thus far, and what did you study from it? 

When working with friends, I initially struggled with the notion of relinquishing management and looking for assist. I felt compelled to shoulder the burden of accountability, believing that doing so demonstrated competence and reliability. Nonetheless, as initiatives grew in complexity and scope, I progressively realized the constraints of this mindset. There got here a pivotal second when I discovered myself overwhelmed with duties, deadlines looming ominously and I got here to the moderately sudden realisation that I don’t have to do it on their own.

After confiding with a buddy I used to be in a position to have a look at the state of affairs with a contemporary perspective, taking a look at every process individually moderately than an one mass. This expertise was a turning level, prompting me to reevaluate my strategy to collaboration. I started to acknowledge that by refusing assist, I not solely hindered my very own progress but in addition disadvantaged my friends of alternatives to contribute meaningfully. Embracing vulnerability, I began to delegate duties, belief in others’ experience, and foster a tradition of mutual assist amongst my pals and colleagues. After I first joined the Laidlaw program in our first residential I labelled independence as one among my biggest strengths, and it’s a power, however all of us have limits. Looking for and accepting assist just isn’t an indication of weak spot however a testomony of belief and respect for others. This shift in mindset didn’t occur in a single day – the truth is it’s nonetheless very a lot taking place – however I imagine marked a major second in my private {and professional} progress.

Please present a brief checklist of bullet factors of your prime management suggestions

1. Respect, respect, respect.
2. Humour – being a frontrunner doesn’t imply all the time being critical.
3. Being prepared to let your guard down – if you need your crew to belief you, you need to belief them.
4. Figuring out when your voice just isn’t a very powerful one within the room.
5. Being open to criticism and in addition accepting that criticism just isn’t all the time private.

Which specific leaders encourage you probably the most and why?

Actually I might checklist a couple of hundred individuals who have impressed me personally and professionally, however one which stands out is my shut buddy and peer Liv Dennington. Liv has proven superb abilities of management exercising empathy, kindness and humility in her time as president of College students In opposition to Sexual Harassment and Assault. Though I’ve solely identified Liv for a yr our time working collectively and consequential friendship has taught me a lot about what it means to be a frontrunner. Liv’s skill to navigate delicate points with grace and compassion, whereas driving significant change, serves as a continuing supply of inspiration. Her unwavering dedication to advocacy and her real concern for others underscore the transformative energy of empathetic management. Liv’s management fashion embodies authenticity and inclusivity, fostering a supportive atmosphere the place everybody’s voice is heard and valued.

Briefly describe a scene from the long run you’re striving to create.

I envision a future the place folks really feel secure. Security isn’t nearly bodily safety; it consists of, emotional, psychological and social well-being. It’s a privilege many people take as a right on a day-to-day till we not have it. The complexities of guaranteeing security in each facet of life are huge and multifaceted. From the macro degree of world safety to the micro degree of private relationships, there are numerous challenges that threaten the integrity of security. Three highly effective instruments to foster security are kindness, empathy and respect, every can have a ripple impact to create a tradition the place security is not only a privilege however a basic proper.

Over the previous yr I’ve been working with a pupil group tackling problems with sexual harassment and assault. There are tons of of the way to sort out systemic points resembling violence however undercurrenting all of those are these core values: kindness, empathy and respect. The superb folks I’ve had the chance to work with on this organisation have made me looking forward to this future. With the ability to see the collaboration and influence that the scholar group has, in addition to our accomplice charities, retains this future in perspective.

What does it imply so that you can be a Laidlaw Scholar?

It might be cliché however the Laidlaw Scholarship has been a life altering expertise regardless of solely being a yr into the programme. Previous to being a scholar I had plenty of issues concerning the path of my life, typically feeling like I lagged behind friends regardless of relentless effort. Though, Laidlaw did not alter my circumstances; it reshaped my perspective on them. By way of this system, I found that what I perceived as obstacles have been the truth is benefits. Surrounded by fellow students who embody management, I’ve achieved greater than I deemed attainable in simply this yr alone. This system made me realise the worth of my very own experiences and instilled confidence in my skills. It isn’t nearly educational or skilled development; it is about embracing private progress and realizing my potential to impact change.