Comparison of Digital Applications and Conventional Equipment in Group
and Individual Recreational Activities: Social Psychology, Social
Interactions, Emotional Reaction, and Perceived Usability in Middle-aged
and Senior Citizens
Abstract
In an aging society, improving quality of life for middle-aged and
senior citizens is crucial. In Taiwan, karaoke recreation is a popular
event among senior citizens. This study examined the effects of singing
on middle-aged and senior citizens via testing such individuals before
and after singing. The tested aspects consisted of social psychology,
social interaction, emotional reaction, and usability. The experiment
design categorized karaoke events into “group singing” and
“individual singing.” The tested karaoke equipment consisted of
conventional physical karaoke equipment (hereafter referred to as
conventional karaoke equipment) and new karaoke software applications.
Experiment participants comprised 48 middle-aged and senior citizens
from Miaoli, Taiwan, who were divided into three groups, namely
individual participant using digital application, individual participant
using conventional karaoke equipment, and grouped participants using
conventional karaoke equipment. Results revealed that after singing, the
participants’ social avoidance and distress levels decreased, their
emotions improved and strengthened, and, and they demonstrated enhanced
social interaction behaviors. Furthermore, group singing yielded greater
effects than individual singing did, whereas the effects were greater
among participants who used conventional karaoke equipment than those
who used digital applications. Participants who used conventional
karaoke equipment demonstrated enhanced emotions, social interactions,
and satisfaction with usability. Despite attempts to enhance
competitiveness via integrating online social functions, new karaoke
software still has space for improvement.