Americans Are Lonelier Than Ever Despite Being Increasingly Connected by Technology; Pictures Can Help
by Jess on Jun.25, 2009, under Kodak, photography, social media, technology
New Research Study from Kodak, “Relationship State of the Nation,” Shows an Increase in Loneliness and a Breakdown in Interpersonal Relationships and Points to Photography as a Solution
ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 25 /PRNewswire/ — Breaking research released today shows that while Americans feel it is now easier to connect digitally with friends and family, they also feel they have fewer meaningful relationships. Americans feel their conversations via technology (email, IM, text, social networks) are less meaningful than those made in person or over-the-phone.
Specific findings pointing to the link between technology and loneliness include:
– 67% of Americans say there is more loneliness in today’s society than
there used to be
– Six in ten feel they have fewer meaningful relationships than they did
five years ago
– While 80% feel it is easier to connect with friends and family today
than it was five years ago (a result of increased use of email, text
and social networks to keep in contact), 60% say they have fewer
meaningful relationships
– Facebook members report an average of 136 friends but only 6 committed
confidants
– Only 29% of Americans feel conversations made via technology always or
almost always make them feel closer to the other person
Photography may be able to combat this trend and help people strengthen their relationships. Most Americans admit photos have motivated them to contact friends and family, and 98% of those surveyed believe photos make them feel closer to friends and family by serving as reminders of past enjoyable moments shared with one another.
Judy Weiser, who served as a consultant to Eastman Kodak Company on this research, is a renowned psychologist, art therapist, director of the PhotoTherapy Centre and author of the book PhotoTherapy Techniques. Weiser has spent a lifetime pioneering her system of PhotoTherapy techniques, which has shown to be an effective application of photography to battle loneliness.
“In my decades of teaching, I have found photos to be an effective way of combating loneliness,” Weiser says. “The emotional responses photos stir can be extremely positive and benefit not only one’s overall health, but also can assist in deepening relationships. Kodak is extremely well-positioned to remind people of the power and importance of photos to our health.”
“We consulted with Judy Weiser on this study to better understand the nature of relationships in the United States and the impact that photos can have on making Americans feel more connected to friends and family,” said Leslie Dance, Vice President of Kodak’s Worldwide Brand Marketing & Communications. “The Kodak brand has always been about helping people strengthen relationships and share memories through the power of imagery, and we are working to build on that heritage with innovative products and solutions that enrich people’s lives.”
Picturing a Better Life
While most people initially capture photos inside their digital cameras, nearly all of those surveyed said they preferred to keep the most important of these in formats that can be touched (93% enjoy photos displayed in their home and 87% keep photo books).
There are many ways people can interact with photos everyday to strengthen their relationships with others. Some PhotoTherapy tips include:
1. Create A Picture-Perfect Environment: Decorate your space with photos of friends, family, loved ones and places you enjoy. Be sure to select photos that contain strong positive memories. Every photo has feelings and memories just underneath its surface; choosing the right one lets you to revisit those moments all over again.
2. Share Your World: The people you miss, miss you too. Let the important people in your life know how you’re doing by sharing not just the special moments but the ordinary moments too. Sharing the “small stuff” can have a BIG impact on your relationships.
3. Interview Your Photo: Unlock the magic of your photo. Find the happiest picture in your collection and imagine a conversation with it. What positive message would it want you to know? How would it like you to feel? What would it want you to remember?
4. Try a Photo Pick Me Up: Beat your blues! Find your most positive photo and carry it with you. Looking at a photo of happier times puts you right back there again, feeling that same way, right now!
5. Breaking the Ice: Turn your photos into conversation starters. Behind every picture is a great story that wants to be told; it’s just waiting for you to ask! Sharing your photos is like sharing your life; when others hear your anecdotes, connections are made that can last a lifetime.
For more PhotoTherapy tips, as well as the comprehensive “Relationship State of the Nation” research findings, please visit www.kodak.com/go/smile or www.facebook.com/kodak
About Kodak
As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
To learn more, visit the newly redesigned http://www.kodak.com/ and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.
(C) Kodak 2009. KODAK is a trademark of Eastman Kodak Company.
© 2009, The F Stops Here. All rights reserved. (Jessica D. Korman)
