Social Play in Traditional Card Games

Playing cards are familiar to all age groups worldwide. There is limited literature comparing gender differences in motivational factors in social card games among older adults. Furthermore, the understanding of how social play and traditional card games affect the well-being and experiences of loneliness among older adults remains limited, particularly with regard to lived experiences, gender-specific motivational factors, and face-to-face, non-digital gaming practices. Hence, this qualitative study examines the experiences of social play of forty-eight older adults, focusing on feelings of loneliness and well-being. The results show the positive effects of social play on the well-being of older adults and their perceived loneliness. This study explores the effects of social play on the well-being and experiences of loneliness among older adults who participate in traditional card game clubs. Utilizing the Uses and Gratifications (UG) theory, the research investigates the underlying motivations for playing cards in social settings and examines gender-specific differences in these motivations. Data were collected through semi-structured surveys from forty-eight older adult card club players across Finland. The findings suggest that, among the forty-eight older adult participants in this study, social play may positively affect well-being and reduce feelings of loneliness. These results are based on self-assessment experiences and may not be generalizable to all older adults. Participants reported slight improvements in hand–eye coordination, memory, reaction rate, concentration, and perception. The study also reveals distinct motivational factors between genders, with male participants motivated by communality and competitiveness, while female participants are driven by cognitive challenge, fun, and social reinforcement. The results highlight the importance of social interaction and regularity in weekly activities for enhancing the well-being of older adults.