Journal articles
Buckingham S, Tu G, Elliott L, Poole R, Walker T, Bland E, Morrissey K (2023). Digital competence and psychological wellbeing in a social housing community: a repeated survey study.
BMC Public Health,
23(1).
Abstract:
Digital competence and psychological wellbeing in a social housing community: a repeated survey study
Abstract
. Background
. Little is known about whether digital competence is related to psychological wellbeing, with most previous research focusing on students and elderly people. There is also limited evidence on seasonal changes in psychological wellbeing, particularly in specific groups. Social housing residents are an underserved and under-researched population. The objectives of this study were to explore associations between digital competence (assessed by general technology self-efficacy) and psychological wellbeing (assessed by mental wellbeing and life satisfaction), and to explore seasonal effects, in social housing residents.
.
. Methods
. A repeated survey design was used. The Happiness Pulse questionnaire with a bespoke digital module was sent via post or e-mail at four timepoints between July 2021 and July 2022 to 167 social housing residents in West Cornwall, England. There were 110 respondents in total; thirty completed all four questionnaires and 59 completed an autumn/winter and summer questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential methods including regression, repeated measures analysis of variance and panel analysis.
.
. Results
. Significant positive associations were found between digital self-efficacy and mental wellbeing, and between digital self-efficacy and life satisfaction. However, there were no significant seasonal changes in psychological wellbeing.
.
. Conclusions
. The findings extend the existing literature beyond student and elderly populations and suggest that improving digital competence is a potential pathway to improving psychological wellbeing. Surveys with larger samples and qualitative studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
.
Abstract.
Buckingham SA, Walker T, Morrissey K (2022). The feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for health and wellbeing in social housing residents in Cornwall: a qualitative scoping study.
DIGITAL HEALTH,
8, 205520762210741-205520762210741.
Abstract:
The feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for health and wellbeing in social housing residents in Cornwall: a qualitative scoping study
Objective the aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for improving health and wellbeing in social housing residents living in a deprived area in Cornwall, England. Methods Qualitative scoping study with focus groups and telephone interviews (23 participants in total). Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results Levels of use and experience with digital technology were diverse in this group, ranging from ‘willing and unable’ to ‘expert’ on a self-perceived scale. Overall, participants had positive perceptions of technology and were keen to try new technologies. Five categories of factors influencing technology use were identified: functional, physical / health, psychological and attitudinal, technology-associated barriers, and privacy, safety and security. Preferred types of digital technology were wearable activity monitors (e.g. Fitbit®), virtual assistants (e.g. Amazon Alexa) and social messaging (e.g. WhatsApp). There was a strong consensus that technology should be easy to use and should have a clear purpose. There was a need to improve awareness, knowledge and confidence in technology use and participants desired further training and support. Conclusions There is a need and desire to use digital technology to improve health, wellbeing and social connectedness in social housing residents in Cornwall. The findings will be used to inform a digital training and support programme for the participants of the Smartline project. This study also serves as a template for future research that seeks to scope the feasibility and acceptability of different digital interventions in similar populations.
Abstract.
Williams AJ, Menneer T, Sidana M, Walker T, Maguire K, Mueller M, Paterson C, Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Seymour E, et al (2021). Fostering Engagement with Health and Housing Innovation: Development of Participant Personas in a Social Housing Cohort.
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance,
7(2), e25037-e25037.
Abstract:
Fostering Engagement with Health and Housing Innovation: Development of Participant Personas in a Social Housing Cohort
BackgroundPersonas, based on customer or population data, are widely used to inform design decisions in the commercial sector. The variety of methods available means that personas can be produced from projects of different types and scale.ObjectiveThis study aims to experiment with the use of personas that bring together data from a survey, household air measurements and electricity usage sensors, and an interview within a research and innovation project, with the aim of supporting eHealth and eWell-being product, process, and service development through broadening the engagement with and understanding of the data about the local community.MethodsThe project participants were social housing residents (adults only) living in central Cornwall, a rural unitary authority in the United Kingdom. A total of 329 households were recruited between September 2017 and November 2018, with 235 (71.4%) providing complete baseline survey data on demographics, socioeconomic position, household composition, home environment, technology ownership, pet ownership, smoking, social cohesion, volunteering, caring, mental well-being, physical and mental health–related quality of life, and activity. K-prototype cluster analysis was used to identify 8 clusters among the baseline survey responses. The sensor and interview data were subsequently analyzed by cluster and the insights from all 3 data sources were brought together to produce the personas, known as the Smartline Archetypes.ResultsThe Smartline Archetypes proved to be an engaging way of presenting data, accessible to a broader group of stakeholders than those who accessed the raw anonymized data, thereby providing a vehicle for greater research engagement, innovation, and impact.ConclusionsThrough the adoption of a tool widely used in practice, research projects could generate greater policy and practical impact, while also becoming more transparent and open to the public.
Abstract.
Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Walker T, Fish R (2021). More than sweat equity: Young people as volunteers in conservation work. Journal of Rural Studies, 81, 78-88.
Colebrooke L, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Walker T (2021). ‘We’re on the edge’: Cultures of care and Universal Credit. Social & Cultural Geography, 24(1), 86-103.
Walker T, Menneer T, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Williams AJ, Mueller M, Taylor T (2020). Determinants of Volunteering Within a Social Housing Community.
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations,
33(1), 188-200.
Abstract:
Determinants of Volunteering Within a Social Housing Community
AbstractIn general, research demonstrates that deprivation, education, health, and well-being are determinants of volunteering, and that volunteering can play an important role in building stronger communities and provides many benefits for individual health and well-being. This study concentrates on the effects of physical and mental health and well-being as predictors when the aspect of socio-economic impact has been minimised. It utilises a unique data set from a UK Housing Association community with generally high levels of deprivation. Data were analysed using bivariate probit regression. In contrast to previous findings, physical health and mental health were not significantly related to volunteering. The key finding was that mental well-being was significantly related to informal volunteering.
Abstract.
Walker T, Esmene S, Colebrooke L, Leyshon C, Leyshon M (2020). Digital possibilities and social mission in the voluntary sector: the case of a community transport organisation in the UK.
Voluntary Sector Review,
11(1), 59-77.
Abstract:
Digital possibilities and social mission in the voluntary sector: the case of a community transport organisation in the UK
Digital technology is seen as a panacea to meeting the financial and operational challenges faced by voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs), through delivering efficiencies and cost-saving, alongside improving quality of service. However, according to recent assessments in the UK, the rate of digital adoption is slow compared with other sectors. This article identifies how a VCSO in a period of austerity prioritises its social mission over functionality and efficiency gains from digital technology. Employing the heuristic of phronesis, we argue that VCSOs seeking to implement digital innovations need to strike a balance between instrumental rationality (that is, what is possible to achieve with technology) and value rationality (that is, what is desirable to pursue by VCSOs). Our key argument is that theories of value rationality provide a new explanation for the slow adoption of digital technology among VCSOs.
Abstract.
Williams AJ, Menneer T, Sidana M, Walker T, Maguire K, Mueller M, Paterson C, Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Seymour E, et al (2020). Fostering Engagement with Health and Housing Innovation: Development of Participant Personas in a Social Housing Cohort (Preprint).
Abstract:
Fostering Engagement with Health and Housing Innovation: Development of Participant Personas in a Social Housing Cohort (Preprint)
. BACKGROUND
. Personas, based on customer or population data, are widely used to inform design decisions in the commercial sector. The variety of methods available means that personas can be produced from projects of different types and scale.
.
.
. OBJECTIVE
. This study aims to experiment with the use of personas that bring together data from a survey, household air measurements and electricity usage sensors, and an interview within a research and innovation project, with the aim of supporting eHealth and eWell-being product, process, and service development through broadening the engagement with and understanding of the data about the local community.
.
.
. METHODS
. The project participants were social housing residents (adults only) living in central Cornwall, a rural unitary authority in the United Kingdom. A total of 329 households were recruited between September 2017 and November 2018, with 235 (71.4%) providing complete baseline survey data on demographics, socioeconomic position, household composition, home environment, technology ownership, pet ownership, smoking, social cohesion, volunteering, caring, mental well-being, physical and mental health–related quality of life, and activity. K-prototype cluster analysis was used to identify 8 clusters among the baseline survey responses. The sensor and interview data were subsequently analyzed by cluster and the insights from all 3 data sources were brought together to produce the personas, known as the Smartline Archetypes.
.
.
. RESULTS
. The Smartline Archetypes proved to be an engaging way of presenting data, accessible to a broader group of stakeholders than those who accessed the raw anonymized data, thereby providing a vehicle for greater research engagement, innovation, and impact.
.
.
. CONCLUSIONS
. Through the adoption of a tool widely used in practice, research projects could generate greater policy and practical impact, while also becoming more transparent and open to the public.
.
Abstract.
Conferences
Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Walker T (In Press). Guided Conversations: Findings and Social Impact.
Walker T, Buckingham S, Morrissey K (In Press). The feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for health and wellbeing in social housing communities in Cornwall: a qualitative scoping study. Society for Social Medicine & Population Health 64th Annual Scientific meeting: 9-11 September 2020, virtual conference.
Abstract:
The feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for health and wellbeing in social housing communities in Cornwall: a qualitative scoping study
Abstract.
Walker T, Menneer T, Tu G, Mueller M, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Morrissey K, Bland E, Buckingham S (2022). P44 Smarter social housing: user perspectives on technology adoption for healthy homes. Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts.
Walker T, Menneer T, Tu G, Mueller M, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Morrissey K, Bland E (2022). Smarter social housing: user perspectives on technology adoption for healthy homes and health equity. European Health Economics Association: Health economics for sustainable welfare systems. 5th - 8th Jul 2022.
Abstract:
Smarter social housing: user perspectives on technology adoption for healthy homes and health equity
Abstract.
Williams A, Menneer T, Sidani M, Walker T, Maguire K, Mueller M, Paterson C, Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Seymour E, et al (2020). Using machine learning clustering techniques to support the understanding of populations and inform action. Public Health England Research and Science Conference - Application of scientific methods to improve and protect health.
Abstract:
Using machine learning clustering techniques to support the understanding of populations and inform action
Abstract.
Walker T (2019). Digitising person centred conversations: methodological and theoretical reflections. International Social Innovation Research Conference: Local Solutions to Global Challenges. 2nd Sep 2019 - 4th Sep 2020.
Abstract:
Digitising person centred conversations: methodological and theoretical reflections
Abstract.
Taylor T, Bland E, Walker T (2017). Smartline - Smart wellbeing inspired by the community. Independence Day - Maximising Technology, Driving Independence, Enjoying Life. 4th - 4th Jul 2017.
