The different attachment to virtual possession between young and elder adults

Abstract

This research explores emotional relationship between individual among different ages and their virtual possessions. We conducted 24 in-depth interviews with younger adults (under 20-year-old) and elder adults (above 40- year-old) in Taiwan. Data were collected and analyzed following grounded theory coding method. By understanding usage behaviors and feelings about participants’ important virtual possessions, we induced several differences of virtual possession attachment among different ages. We concluded four types of virtual possession, the causes of attachment development and usage behaviors among different ages. Finally, several similarities and dissimilarities between elder and young adults were discussed. Some guidelines of designing for improving virtual possession attachment for people in these two generations are proposed.