Abstract
Cold waves pose a recurring and serious hazard for independently living older adults, yet the monitoring arrangements that shape their protective responses remain understudied. This study examined how social surveillance, defined as check-ins and support from family, neighbors, and community contacts, and technological surveillance, defined as weather applications, smart devices, and emergency alert platforms, jointly and independently predicted cold-wave safety behavior. A cross-sectional, exploratory mixed-methods design was employed. One hundred independently living adults aged 65 and older, residing in cold-prone U.S. states, completed a survey measuring monitoring frequency, source trust, perceived autonomy, concern across six cold-wave hazard types, and a ten-item Safety Behavior Index. Open-ended responses were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Hazard concern was organized by perceived controllability : falls and general health deterioration generated the highest concern, while carbon monoxide and fire were rated lowest despite carrying serious risk. A multiple linear regression showed that social monitoring and technological monitoring each independently predicted safety behavior, and no demographic variable reached significance. Participants used technology more frequently but trusted social sources more deeply: digital tools provided information while social contacts provided judgment, motivation, and practical help. High monitoring frequency did not reduce perceived autonomy. These findings show that social and technological surveillance address distinct preparedness needs and work best in combination and suggest that cold-wave preparedness programs should invest in social surveillance networks alongside technological tools. vii Keywords: cold wave preparedness, social surveillance, technological surveillance, independently living older adults, aging in place, safety behavior.
Advisor
Sarah Epplen
Committee Member
Aaron Hoy
Committee Member
Chao Liu
Committee Member
Jeffrey Buchanan
Date of Degree
2026
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Program of Study
Sociology
Department
Sociology and Leadership Studies
College
Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Citation
Rahman, S. M. A. (2026). Watching over cold waves: The influence of social and technology surveillance on independent older adults' safety [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1592/
Rights Statement
