Social presence in shared virtual reality experience among older adults

Virtual Reality (VR) has the potential to foster social interaction and improve well-being of older adults. This paper presents two qualitative studies that explore the use of VR to create cultural experiences that enhance the sense of social presence among older adults. Participants (n = 19) tested two VR theatre experiences designed to increase social interaction and the feeling of social presence. The study utilised thematic analysis, and the findings highlight the potential of VR as a medium for cultural service producers and the suitability of older adults as a user group for VR experiences. Adding interaction features that foster social presence in virtual experiences can significantly improve the user experience, with social VR experiences potentially reaching a similar level of social presence as live performances. However, the nascent nature of social VR developed for cultural experiences and the specific needs of older adult users necessitate further research, particularly in relation to the social etiquette surrounding VR-based cultural experiences. The paper contributes to the growing research on utilising VR as a medium to foster social interaction and well-being among older adults.