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Beyond the digital divide: Exploring older adults’ experiences of digital inclusion and socialisation
2026-04-06 - Barbosa, Isabel Cristina Pereira; Real, Elizabeth
This study examines how older adults engage with digital technologies, with a particular focus on social media and online communities, and how these experiences reflect and shape their Digital Maturity. Moving beyond deficit-based views of ageing and technology, it explores how older adults perceive and navigate their digital engagement, the strategies they use to overcome challenges and leverage opportunities, and how cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions intersect in their digital lives. Drawing on in-depth narrative interviews with 17 participants aged 55–75, the study analyses personal accounts of digital meaning-making, barriers and enablers, and online socialisation through the Digital Maturity framework. The findings reveal the heterogeneous nature of older adults’ digital trajectories, highlighting individual agency, emotional resilience, and the role of digital platforms in sustaining social connectivity in later life. By articulating how Digital Maturity manifests in everyday digital practices, the study contributes to debates in social gerontology and digital inclusion, and offers person-centred insights for policymakers, practitioners, and technology designers seeking to foster equitable, age-inclusive digital environments. These results also point towards future research on technology adoption and digital well-being across the life course, calling for more nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to understanding digital engagement among diverse older populations.
A systematic review of prosodic abilities in children with dyslexia compared to typically developing peers [comunicação oral]
2025-12-15 - Carneiro, Tânia; Frota, Sónia; Carvalhais, Lénia; Luzio, Juliana; Filipe, Marisa G.
Dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in word
reading, decoding, and spelling despite adequate instruction, is associated with prosodic
atypicalities. This systematic review synthesized research comparing prosodic abilities of
children with dyslexia with their typically developing peers. Studies were retrieved from
PubMed and EBSCOhost (APA PsycInfo, Academic Search Complete, Eric databases),
covering publications from November 2014 to November 2024.
Exploring generational perspectives on mental health-related work absences: A qualitative interview study in the contemporary workplace
2026-02-12 - Barbosa, Isabel Cristina Pereira; Real, Elizabeth
Workplace mental health-related absences have risen sharply, with recent data showing Millennials as the most affected generation in 2024. This qualitative study explores how employees from four generations—Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z—perceive, experience, and respond to mental health challenges at work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants from diverse sectors and roles. Thematic analysis revealed distinct generational differences in stigma, expectations, communication, and preferences for organizational support. Millennials and Gen Z reported greater openness and demand for mental health resources, while older generations highlighted stigma and reluctance to disclose issues. Intergenerational misunderstandings and cultural gaps were common, but examples of cross-generational learning and innovative support practices emerged. Findings suggest that tailored, inclusive strategies and improved intergenerational dialogue are essential to reduce mental health-related absences and foster healthier workplaces. Organizations should prioritize generationally sensitive policies, visible leadership engagement, and flexible support mechanisms to effectively address the diverse mental health needs of a multigenerational workforce.