Television viewing and older adults: the effects of active viewing, passive viewing, and viewing type

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if statistically significant differences exist between older adult television watchers based on amount time spent watching television, whether or not views actively paid attention to what they were watching or more passively viewed television, and the sex of the viewer, on measures of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and life satisfaction. A convenience sample of 100 older adults residing in southern California completed a questionnaire and maintained a log of 7-days of viewing habits. Results suggest that total time spent watching television is negatively correlated with life satisfaction (p<.05) and post hoc testing suggested that people who watch a heavy amount of television experience significantly lower life satisfaction in comparison to both light and moderate viewers.