The PRAGMATOM Project
The project PragmaTOM (Pragmatics and Theory of Mind for Active Aging), funded by the Velux Fundation, was launched on 1st December 2022. It is led by the University of Pavia and IUSS Pavia. The overarching objective of PragmaTOM is to develop a dual-format (online and in-person) intervention program to promote active aging. The project aims to enhance the overall functioning and well-being of older adults through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates pragmatics (language use in context) and theory of mind (understanding others’ mental states).
A key innovation of the project is the use of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to monitor in real time the changes in participants’ social interactions, emotional well-being, and social cognitive abilities in their daily environments. The project will involve more than 150 older adults and will implement an experimental intervention designed to strengthen both pragmatic skills and social cognition. It will also combine laboratory testing with ecological evaluations to robustly assess the effectiveness of the intervention across different settings.
At the conclusion of PragmaTOM, an integrated digital platform will be made available to professionals and stakeholders, providing tools and guidelines for the use of the intervention in diverse contexts.
