Daily soap operas as a source of connection and support for older adults
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Building on the observation that television is a popular and accessible medium, and that France produces 4 daily soap operas that are widely embraced by between 2 and 3.5 million viewers per episode, Sérial’Générations (2025–2028, Miranda programme - France 2030) examines soap operas as a valuable psychosocial resource for their audiences aged 60 or older. The investigated hypotheses are that by allowing viewers to follow the daily adventures of a wide range of characters, soap operas engage specific mechanisms such as parasocial relationships with the characters, engagement in routines, and learning about social and societal changes.The project adopts a transdisciplinary and participatory approach to the soap opera ecosystem and its production, encompassing aspects of creation, content, and reception. It combines sociological interviews, questionnaires, online ethnography, collective viewing workshops, narrative and image content analysis, as well as co-creation with stakeholders (e.g., writers, viewers, fans).In line with research on entertainment-education in TV series, this poster presents preliminary results regarding how soap operas might foster parasocial bonds, reduce loneliness, and strengthen social ties in older adults. As mirrors of societal change, soaps might promote diversity and intergenerational understanding and sharing.It aligns with current research on entertainment-education in TV series by implementing quantitative and qualitative investigations into the potential benefits for viewers. By also considering constraints and expectations related to writing and broadcasting, the project aims to co-create potential tools to support the creative process and reception of soap operas.
Source: HAL
Institutions: Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier, Dynamique des Capacités Humaines et des Conduites de Santé, Laboratoire d'Études et de Recherches Appliquées en Sciences Sociales, Représenter, Inventer la Réalité, du Romantisme au XXIe siècle, Praxiling, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Institut de recherche sur le cinéma et l'audiovisuel
Language: English
Topic: Media Influence and Health
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7205953280