scholarly journals THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY: EXAMINING OUTCOMES OF TECHNOLOGY USE AMONG OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S194-S194
Author(s):  
Shelia Cotten ◽  
Shelia R Cotten ◽  
Travis Kadylak

Abstract Older adults are increasingly using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to communicate with social ties, gather information to make decisions, and for entertainment purposes. Research is increasingly showing that using ICTs has a range of potential benefits for older adults. However, less research examines the potential negative outcomes of ICT use for older adults. Data from a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States is used to examine positive and negative outcomes of ICT use. Traditional well-being and social connection outcomes are examined as well as new stressors associated with mobile phone use. Our findings suggest that ICT use has varying effects on older adults, depending upon the type, level, and purposes of use. Implications are discussed for entities seeking to encourage ICT use to enhance health and quality of life among older adults.

Author(s):  
Alexander Seifert ◽  
Shelia R. Cotten

In the United States, more people are turning 65 daily than at any prior point in history. This demographic transition will likely continue for several decades. Older adults experience health declines as they age in addition to increased chronic health conditions. Though older adults are increasingly using information and communication technologies (ICTs), a digital divide still exists. In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of the research on the digital divide and ICT use among older adults, including what is currently known about the impacts of ICT use on older adults’ health and quality of life, limitations in measurement tools and existing data sources, and future directions for others hoping to advance research on this topic.


2021 ◽  
pp. 027507402110503
Author(s):  
Leonor Camarena ◽  
Federica Fusi

Despite the growing use and adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in government, few studies investigate how ICTs impact the well-being of public managers in the workplace. Information system and psychology studies define “technostress” as a form of stress stemming from the social and technical changes brought by ICTs use. Public managers likely experience technostress as ICTs become pervasive in their professional and private life and add new demands to their workload. Using nationwide 2014 survey data of 2,500 local government managers, we focus on technology use and individual and organizational practices around ICT use to investigate their effect on technostress. We find that ICT use for professional purposes increases technostress, but public organizations can reduce technostress by providing policies and guidelines on ICT use. Personal use of ICTs and electronic monitoring do not affect technostress. We discuss implications for technology and human resource management in public organizations.


Author(s):  
Rochell R. McWhorter ◽  
Julie A. Delello ◽  
Christine S. Gipson ◽  
Beth Mastel-Smith ◽  
Kleanthe Caruso

About one-fifth of the population in the United States in 2015 will be age 65 or older in 2050 and loneliness may be a contributing factor that inhibits their well-being and overall health. As the number of older adults continues to escalate, information and communication technologies such as smartphones and computers may create an increase in social connectedness leading to a decline in loneliness and social isolation. Results from this pilot study suggest that the older adult participants demonstrated some degree of loneliness. As the older adults used social media to connect with friends, family, and other information of interest, there was an increase in social connectedness for many of the participants, but the intensive iPad intervention was not significant in terms of reducing loneliness for either group over time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyu (Judy) Hu ◽  
Larissa K. Barber ◽  
YoungAh Park ◽  
Arla Day

AbstractSeveral decades of research have addressed the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology. However, segmented research streams with myriad terminologies run the risk of construct proliferation and lack an integrated theoretical justification of the contributions of ICT concepts. Therefore, by identifying important trends and reflecting on key constructs, findings, and theories, our review seeks to determine whether a compelling case can be made for the uniqueness of ICT-related concepts in studying employee and performance in I-O psychology. Two major themes emerge from our review of the ICT literature: (a) a technology behavior perspective and (b) a technology experience perspective. The technology behavior perspective with three subcategories (the “where” of work design, the “when” of work extension, and the “what” of work inattention) explores how individual technology use can be informative for predicting employee well-being and performance. The technology experience perspective theme with two subcategories (the “how” of ICT appraisals and “why” of motives) emphasizes unique psychological (as opposed to behavioral) experiences arising from the technological work context. Based on this review, we outline key challenges of current ICT research perspectives and opportunities for further enhancing our understanding of technological implications for individual workers and organizations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110482
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Wonmai Punksungka ◽  
Samuel Van Vleet ◽  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Phyllis Cummins

Little is known about the overall experiences and feelings of diverse older populations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. To provide the baseline information for future research and policy, this study analyzed the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 project data ( n = 1782). More than 70% of older adults reported the following activities: watching TV (98%), reading (90%), using a computer and the internet (83%), gardening (82%), walking (75%), baking and cooking (73%), and praying (73%). Volunteering and attending community groups, which are known to benefit well-being, were unpopular (less than 8%). During the pandemic, older adults were generally satisfied with their lives, but more than half of them were concerned about their own health, family’s health, and future prospects. Our study also showed the differences in the experiences and feelings by gender and race as well as the intersection of gender and race in the United States.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 935-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Ryvicker ◽  
Evan Bollens-Lund ◽  
Katherine A. Ornstein

Transportation disadvantage may have important implications for the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults. This study used the 2015 National Health Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over ( N = 7,498), to generate national estimates of transportation modalities and transportation disadvantage among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. An estimated 10.8 million community-dwelling older adults in the United States rarely or never drive. Among nondrivers, 25% were classified as transportation disadvantaged, representing 2.3 million individuals. Individuals with more chronic medical conditions and those reliant on assistive devices were more likely to report having a transportation disadvantage ( p < .05). Being married resulted in a 50% decreased odds of having a transportation disadvantage ( p < .01). Some individuals may be at higher risk for transportation-related barriers to engaging in valued activities and accessing care, calling for tailored interventions such as ride-share services combined with care coordination strategies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S14-S15
Author(s):  
William J Chopik ◽  
Shelia R Cotten

Abstract Technology has the ability to enhance and enrich the lives of older adults by facilitating better relationships, health, and well-being. However, older adults vary in how often—and even whether—they use information and communication technologies (ICTs). Further, interactions and relationships with people in their immediate social networks might have implications for whether or not older adults adopt ICTs. In two studies of individuals (N=595 participants; Mage=67.09; 56% Female; 69.2% White) and couples (N=542 couples; Mage=63.65; 50% Female; 83.9% White), I examined individual and dyadic predictors of technology adoption among older adults. Among a wide array of individual difference constructs, the most reliable predictor of technology adoption in both individuals and their spouses was need for cognition (.08 ≤ r ≤ .23). The results will be discussed in the context of how individual differences modulate adoption and the benefits accrued from ICTs across the lifespan.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Francis ◽  
Travis Kadylak ◽  
Taj. W. Makki ◽  
R. V. Rikard ◽  
Shelia R. Cotten

Information and communication technology (ICT) use can mitigate the negative impact of various age-related threats, such as isolation and loneliness, by facilitating connection with social ties and access to social support. Although research regarding various uses and benefits of ICTs among older adults has increased, there is limited research regarding the impact of technical difficulties on older adults’ well-being. Our study explores technical difficulties encountered, how older adults cope with ICT failure, and the various forms of social support that may result as a consequence of accessing technical support. We use data from nine semistructured focus groups conducted with older adults in the Midwest region of the United States. Results show that older adults may adapt new strategies for coping with the technical difficulties that arise from regular ICT use. Furthermore, as older adults incorporate ICTs into their daily lives and seek assistance from social ties and experts, they may also be indirectly combating the threat of isolation and loneliness.


Author(s):  
Kathrin Reinke ◽  
Sandra Ohly

Research suggests that work-related use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) after hours involves both harms and benefits for employee well-being. Yet, these findings are mainly based on examining the extent of ICT use as the focal construct of interest. Based on cognitive appraisal theories of stress, we argue that research needs to include individuals’ evaluation of their work-related ICT use after hours as well as the conditions shaping this appraisal to explain double-edged effects of ICT use on well-being. Thus, we investigate (1) how situational and personal factors influence whether work-related ICT use after hours is evaluated as positive or negative, and (2) how these factors and ICT use appraisal relate to employee well-being and recovery, beyond the extent of ICT use. We collected data in a daily diary study over five consecutive days. Multilevel path analyses with data from 51 employees and 151 daily observations indicated that goal progress and autonomous motivation for ICT use were positively related to positive ICT use appraisal. Besides, goal progress predicted less and overload predicted more negative ICT use appraisal. In turn, ICT use appraisal was associated with employees’ affective states and psychological detachment in the evening, beyond the extent of ICT use. Additionally, we found several indirect effects of goal progress and overload on employee well-being and recovery via ICT use appraisal. Our findings emphasize the need to investigate ICT usage experiences to explain the double-edged consequences of work-related ICT use after hours on employee well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 426-426
Author(s):  
Walter Boot

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are primarily how many people communicate, socialize, and receive healthcare. In a recent Pew report, experts in the role of technology in society believe that post-COVID-19 pandemic, society will continue to be far more technology-driven than pre-pandemic. That is, technology will play an even greater role in our lives in the “new normal.” However, compared to younger adults, many older adults are less likely to adopt the technologies needed to perform these everyday tasks. Differences in technology proficiency, acceptance, and adoption between groups is often referred to as the “digital divide,” and older adults are more likely to be on the disadvantaged side of this digital divide. This session explores the potential of technology to support social, health, and wellbeing outcomes among older adults, and the challenges involved. This session will start with a talk by A. Lothary on the success and challenges of using a simple video chat platform to address loneliness and social isolation. S. Shende will present a video-technology intervention for older adults with and without cognitive impairment, and how this intervention was designed to facilitate engagement. This will be followed by a presentation by X. Lin on the relationship between social media usage and well-being across the lifespan, and mediators of this relationship. The session will conclude with a presentation by W. Qin on predictors of older adults’ use of telehealth technology to support health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.


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