Short answer
Design spaces and programs that actively support and celebrate individual identity, rather than inadvertently fostering comparison.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- The Gerontologist (2018)
- Method
- Qualitative Case Study
- Sample
- 18 residents (interviews) + observations
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Older adults in care homes may use social comparison with peers to maintain a positive sense of self when faced with institutional limitations. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in The Gerontologist. Using Qualitative case study with 18 residents (interviews) + observations, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design spaces and programs that actively support and celebrate individual identity, rather than inadvertently fostering comparison.
Social Comparison as an Adaptive Identity Strategy for Care Home Residents
Older adults in care homes may use social comparison with peers to maintain a positive sense of self when faced with institutional limitations.
The Gerontologist · 2018
Key Findings
- 01The care home environment exacerbated the impact of aging on residents' identities.
- 02Institutional restrictions challenged residents' independence and autonomy, leading them to redefine these within the care home's constraints.
- 03Residents without dementia engaged in social comparison with those with dementia to bolster their own sense of identity.
- 04Staff routines and resource limitations constrained the expression of residents' personalities.
Application
Design takeaway
Design spaces and programs that actively support and celebrate individual identity, rather than inadvertently fostering comparison.
How to apply
When designing for older adults in residential settings, consider how the physical environment, routines, and social structures might influence their sense of self and encourage the development of adaptive strategies.
Project actions
- 01Consider how the environment you are designing for might impact a user's sense of self.
- 02Think about how to provide opportunities for users to express their individuality within the constraints of a particular setting.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Rich, in-depth qualitative data from multiple perspectives (residents, relatives, staff).
- +Longitudinal study design allowing observation of changes over time.
Limitations
The qualitative nature means findings are not statistically generalizable. The specific context of UK care homes might influence results.
Reliability & validity
The use of multiple data sources (interviews, observations) and a case study approach enhances the credibility and transferability of findings. However, the subjective nature of qualitative data and the specific context limit generalizability.
Think critically
To what extent can design proactively mitigate the need for negative social comparison among vulnerable user groups?
Design Principles
"Empower self-expression and autonomy to foster positive identity."
Understanding the psychological strategies residents employ to manage their identity is crucial for designing supportive care environments. This insight highlights the need to create opportunities for self-expression and autonomy that reduce reliance on potentially negative coping mechanisms.
What This Means for Your Design
People in care homes sometimes compare themselves to others to feel better about themselves, especially if they feel they've lost some independence.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the need for user-centred design approaches that consider psychological well-being.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing how environmental factors can influence user identity and behaviour.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This qualitative case study by Paddock et al. (2018) highlights that residents in care homes may employ social comparison as an adaptive strategy to maintain a positive identity, particularly when faced with institutional limitations that challenge their autonomy. This underscores the importance of designing environments and services that actively support self-expression and independence, thereby reducing the reliance on such comparative behaviours and fostering a stronger sense of self-worth.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about social comparison as an adaptive identity strategy for care home residents?
- Design spaces and programs that actively support and celebrate individual identity, rather than inadvertently fostering comparison. Evidence: The Gerontologist (2018).
- Why does "Social Comparison as an Adaptive Identity Strategy for Care Home Residents" matter for design?
- Understanding the psychological strategies residents employ to manage their identity is crucial for designing supportive care environments. This insight highlights the need to create opportunities for self-expression and autonomy that reduce reliance on potentially negative coping mechanisms.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design spaces and programs that actively support and celebrate individual identity, rather than inadvertently fostering comparison.
- What were the main findings?
- The care home environment exacerbated the impact of aging on residents' identities.. Institutional restrictions challenged residents' independence and autonomy, leading them to redefine these within the care home's constraints.. Residents without dementia engaged in social comparison with those with dementia to bolster their own sense of identity.. Staff routines and resource limitations constrained the expression of residents' personalities.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative Case Study with 18 residents (interviews) + observations.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from The Gerontologist.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing for older adults in residential settings, consider how the physical environment, routines, and social structures might influence their sense of self and encourage the development of adaptive strategies.
- What are the limitations?
- Findings are specific to the three care homes studied and may not be generalizable to all care home settings. The study focused on residents without dementia for the social comparison aspect.