An interpretative phenomenological inquiry into older adults’ experience of nature through virtual reality and its effect on their perceived well-being
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: What this paper adds: • Provides qualitative insights into the lived experiences of older adults using VR, addressing a gap in the literature that often emphasises quantitative outcomes without exploring subjective meaning and personal narratives. • Highlights accessibility and acceptability factors influencing older adults’ engagement with VR, offering practical recommendations for integrating nature-based VR interventions in care settings. Applications of study findings: • Highlights the necessity to adopt a trauma-informed approach to using nature-based VR experiences with older adults in care home settings. • Informs policymakers about the potential of digital interventions like VR to address social isolation while warning against the application of virtual nature as a universally beneficial intervention for everyone. • Research: Calls for further longitudinal and interdisciplinary studies to explore the longer-term impacts of VR on emotional health in older adults, including diverse populations and settings. To explore older adults’ lived experiences of nature through immersive virtual reality (VR) and its influence on their perceived well-being in care home settings. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), eight older adults (aged 85–98) residing in care homes engaged with 360-degree VR videos of natural environments. Data were collected via VR-assisted interviews and follow-up semi-structured interviews. Participants reported a broad spectrum of complex emotional responses, ranging from relaxation and reminiscence to sadness and disconnection. Key experiential themes included immersion and escapism, emotional evocation, and reflections on limitations and loss. The study reveals that virtual nature experiences can evoke emotionally complex responses, underscoring the need for individualised and context-sensitive implementation. It cautions against overstating VR’s positive effects and calls for trauma-informed, age-appropriate approaches that take account of personal history and technological limitations. By openly reporting less favourable experiences, this study contributes to a more balanced evidence base and challenges prevailing publication bias in VR research.
Source: EXPLORE
Authors: Ave Kotze, Tony Ward, Erinma Ochu
Institution: University of the West of England
Language: English
Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,090
OpenAlex ID: W4415764616