scholarly journals Technology Adaptivity Mediates the Effect of Technology Biography on Internet Use Variability

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Seifert ◽  
Stefan T Kamin ◽  
Frieder R Lang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Path Model ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Past Experiences

Abstract Background and Objectives Increasing numbers of older adults use the internet, but relatively little is known about the range and determinants of different online activities among older internet users. This study explores the interplay between technology-related biographical experiences and subjective technology adaptivity to explain the variability of internet use. Older adults who report having had more biographical experiences with technologies were expected to use a greater range of online activities. In addition, subjective technology adaptivity was expected to serve as a mediator of this relationship. Research Design and Methods The analyses are based on a sample of 707 community-dwelling older participants of the University of the Third Age between 60 and 95 years of age (mean age = 72.49 years; 48% female) who use the internet. The measures include self-reports of online activities, technology-related biographical experiences, subjective technology adaptivity, and personal characteristics (age, gender, education, income, living-together status, and subjective health). Correlations and a path model with mediator effects were used to explore the research hypothesis. Results The bivariate effects on the variability of internet use showed that study subjects participated in a greater range of online activities when they lived together with other people and were male, younger, and had higher levels of subjective technology adaptivity, technology-related biographical experiences, and educational level. The direct effects on the mediator show higher levels of subjective technology adaptivity for people who reported greater technology-related biographical experiences and for those who reported higher levels of subjective health. Discussion and Implications The results show that the positive association between people’s past experiences with and stances toward technology in their own lifetimes and their range of diverse internet activities is mediated by subjective technology adaptivity. The findings also help to illustrate which biographical factors and which current individual factors explain differences in actual online behavior.

scholarly journals Digital Health Information as Friend or Foe: The Question of (Mis)Trust Among Older Internet Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 410-410
Author(s):  
Gul Seckin ◽  
Patricia Campbell ◽  
Megan Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Older Age ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Gathering health information is among the major motivations for getting online among older adults who want to be better prepared with knowledge to manage their health and personal care. Prior research also showed significant gender differences in health-related use of the Internet. This research examined the effect of Internet use for health information on (a) mistrust of physician, (b) empowerment, (c) self-care, and (d) worry and/or anxiety. The sample (N=710; Mean= 48.82, SD=16.43) was randomly drawn from a national probability-based online panel. We performed gender-stratified sub-sample analyses of older respondents (age ≥60, N= 194). Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that there is a negative association between older age and feeling empowered because of using the internet for health information (β = -.23, p < .05) and a positive association between older age and mistrust of diagnosis and/or treatment of physician (β = .19, p < .05). Study respondents did not report better self-care as a result of obtaining information from the Internet (β = -.15, p > .05). Lastly, older adults reported less worry and/or anxiety because of information stumbled upon the Internet that may not be accurate (β = -.25, p < .05). Sub-sample analyses showed that there are gender differences. Particularly, older men reported greater mistrust (β = .32, p < .05), and less worry (β = -.44, p ≤ .01) while these associations were not significant among older women. Results call for examination of the synergy of age and gender in perceived benefits of health-related Internet use.

scholarly journals Views on Aging and Well-Being in the Covid Crisis – A Longitudinal Study in Luxembourg

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 961-961
Author(s):  
Anna Kornadt ◽  
Martine Hoffmann ◽  
Elke Murdock ◽  
Josepha Nell ◽  
Isabelle Albert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Individual Development ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Loss ◽  
Physical Decline

Abstract During the Covid-Crisis, stereotypes of older adults as helpless and vulnerable were spread, and intergenerational conflict was stirred more or less openly. We thus focused on perceived ageism during the crisis and its effects on well-being and health of older adults. Since views on aging are multifaceted and can be both, risk and resource for individual development, we assessed people’s self-perceptions of aging (SPA) as social loss, continued growth and physical decline and subjective age (SA). We hypothesized that people with SPA of social loss and physical decline would be more susceptible to negative effects of perceived ageism, whereas those with SPA of continued growth and younger SA would be less affected. NT1 = 611 community-dwelling adults aged 60 – 98 (Mage = 69.92 years) were recruited in June 2020 online and via phone in Luxembourg. In September 2020, participants will be contacted again for a follow-up. Analyses with cross-sectional data show that participants who felt more discriminated reported lower life satisfaction after the onset of the crisis (r = -.35) and worse subjective health (r = -.14). SPA of social loss and higher SA increased the negative effect of ageism on well-being (beta = -.57) and subjective health (beta = -.53), respectively. Our results point to mid- and long-term consequences of age discriminatory and stereotype-based crisis communication for the well-being of older adults and the importance of individual SPA in critical situations.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Segmentation to Explain the Online Health Information–Seeking Behavior of Older Adults: Representative Telephone Survey

10.2196/15099 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e15099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winja Weber ◽  
Anne Reinhardt ◽  
Constanze Rossmann
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Related

Background As a result of demographic changes, the number of people aged 60 years and older has been increasing steadily. Therefore, older adults have become more important as a target group for health communication efforts. Various studies show that online health information sources have gained importance among younger adults, but we know little about the health-related internet use of senior citizens in general and in particular about the variables explaining their online health-related information–seeking behavior. Media use studies indicate that in addition to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors might play a role in this context. Objective The aim of this study was to examine older people’s health-related internet use. Our study focused on the explanatory potential of lifestyle types over and above sociodemographic variables to predict older adults’ internet use for health information. Methods A telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of German adults aged 60 years and older (n=701) that was quota-allocated by gender, age, educational status, and degree of urbanity of their place of residence. Results The results revealed that participants used the internet infrequently (mean 1.82 [SD 1.07]), and medical personnel (mean 2.89 [SD 1.11]), family and friends (mean 2.86 [SD 1.21]), and health brochures (mean 2.85 [SD 1.21]) were their main sources of health information. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on values, interests, and leisure time activities revealed three different lifestyle types for adults aged over 60 years: the Sociable Adventurer, the Average Family Person, and the Uninterested Inactive. After adding these types as second-step predictors in a hierarchical regression model with sociodemographic variables (step 1), the explained variance increased significantly (R2=.02, P=.001), indicating that the Average Family Person and the Sociable Adventurer use the internet more often for health information than the Uninterested Inactive, over and above their sociodemographic attributes. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the internet still plays only a minor role in the health information–seeking behavior of older German adults. Nevertheless, there are subgroups including younger, more active, down-to-earth and family-oriented males that may be reached with online health information. Our findings suggest that lifestyle types should be taken into account when predicting health-related internet use behavior.

scholarly journals Determinants of internet use by the elderly in Spain: time dedicated to search and communications

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Campaña ◽  
Raquel Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Individual Health ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Online Activities

Internet use reduces the isolation or exclusion of individuals in specific socio-economic groups and, consequently, increases the quality of life, with this being especially the case for the elderly. Knowing that the elderly are becoming particularly active in dedicating time to the Internet, we provide evidence of the time that Spanish individuals aged 65 and older dedicate to two online activities: search and communications. We estimate a SUR model with data from the STUS for 2009-2010. Our main results indicate that being male has a positive influence on the time devoted to search on the Internet. Furthermore, time devoted to both Internet activities increases with higher levels of education and at the highest level of individual health.

Internet Use among Older Adults

2013 ◽  
pp. 124-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiwei Chen ◽  
Bob Lee ◽  
Robert M. Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Selective Optimization With Compensation ◽  
Emotional Processes ◽  
Age Related

Older adults (65 and above) are the fastest growing population to use computers and the Internet in their everyday lives. The primary purpose of this chapter is to use a Lifespan Developmental Perspective to examine both the constraints and the opportunities of Internet use among older adults. Given age-related changes in physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional processes, older adults may encounter different constraints in Internet use from younger adults. The Selective Optimization with Compensation model is used to explore opportunities for older adults in using the Internet to improve quality of life. Future product designs and training programs should take into account older adults’ physical and cognitive limitations, as well as their socio-emotional needs. It is also recommended that social policies should help older adults overcome these constraints in order to reduce age-related digital divide and promote quality of life for older adults.

scholarly journals DOES CHANGE IN INTERNET USE PREDICT PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S326-S326
Author(s):  
Ronald W Berkowsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Previous work focusing on the relationship between Internet use and quality of life among older adults (aged 65+) has found evidence of various positive impacts. This project expands upon this work by examining the relationship between Internet use and measures of psychological well-being (PWB) including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. The analytic sample is derived from two waves of data (Time 1 = 2004, Time 2 = 2011) taken from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study and includes a sample of older adults aged~65 at Time 1 (N = 4943). Participants were separated into four categories: those who did not use the Internet at Time 1 or 2, those who used the Internet at Time 1 only, those who used the Internet at Time 2 only, and those who used the Internet at both Time 1 and 2. Regression analyses were performed with the Time 2 PWB measures as the outcomes and the Internet use categories as the primary predictors. Results indicate that while continuous Internet users typically reported higher PWB scores compared to non-users, those who stopped use between Time 1 and 2 also reported higher scores and those who started use between Time 1 and 2 reported lower scores. These results generally held when introducing Time 1 PWB measures as controls, suggesting changes in Internet use may affect PWB but not necessarily in the predicted directions. Additional control variables, potential explanations, and implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals INTERNET USE AND LONELINESS: CURE OR CAUSE? LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF OLDER ADULTS’ INTERNET USE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S14-S14
Author(s):  
Elena Hees ◽  
Clemens Tesch-Römer ◽  
Oliver Huxhold
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Using Data ◽  
German Ageing Survey ◽  
Two Age Groups

Abstract The internet provides an indispensable platform for social interaction, entertainment and everyday tasks. Especially older adults might benefit from staying engaged online to counteract loneliness. Yet, current research on how internet use effects loneliness still paints a contradictory picture. The current study investigates the longitudinal influence of social internet use forms as opposed to general internet use on loneliness across three years (2014-2017) separately in two age groups (pre-retirement: 40-64 years and post-retirement: 65-85 years), using data from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS). Structural equation modelling shows, that general web use predicts an increase in loneliness in both age-groups. However, contacting friends and family online seems to protect against loneliness over and above the effect of overall internet use, at least for the younger age-group. Therefore, the current study underlines the importance of investigating what exactly people do online instead of seeing the internet as a homogenous tool.

scholarly journals Older Adults—Potential Users of Technologies

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vita Lesauskaitė ◽  
Gytė Damulevičienė ◽  
Jurgita Knašienė ◽  
Egidijus Kazanavičius ◽  
Agnius Liutkevičius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
University Education ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background and objective: The successful adoption of technology is becoming increasingly important to functional independence and successful ageing in place. A better understanding of technology usage amongst older people may help to direct future interventions aimed at improving their healthcare. We aimed to obtain the first data regarding technology use, including gerontechnologies, represented by fall detectors, from older adults in Lithuania. Material and methods: The research was carried out in the framework of the project Smart Gerontechnology for Healthy Ageing, which involved assessing the use of technologies and the readiness to use gerontechnologies, as represented by fall detectors. A total of 375 individuals that were more than 60 years of age were enrolled in the study. The self-reporting questionnaires were completed by geriatric in-patients, hospitalized in the geriatric department, and also by community-dwelling older adults. Results: Geriatric in-patients’ use of computers and the internet was associated with age (every year of age decreased the probability of computer and internet use by 0.9-times) and a positive attitude towards new technologies—this predictor increased the use of a computer by six-times in comparison with people who did not have such an attitude. Sex and education had no influence on computer use for geriatric in-patients. For community-dwelling older adults, the use of computers and internet was associated with age, education (a university education increased the use of computers and the internet by four times), and a positive attitude towards technologies. Conclusions: Lithuanian older women in the study used computers, the internet, and cell phones equally with men. Increasing age was a strong negative predictor of technology use. A positive attitude to new technologies was a strong positive predictor of technology use. Most geriatric patients and community-dwelling older adults were ready to use technologies that permit ageing in place.

The association between Internet use and health outcomes in the population of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Szulc ◽  
M Duplaga
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The Internet has become one of the primary sources of health-related information. Less is known about the impact of Internet access and use on health-related outcomes in the older population, which frequently suffer from a digital divide. The main objective of this study was the assessment of the associations between Internet use and variables reflecting health status, the use of health services and health behaviours in the population at least 50 years old. Methods The analysis was carried out on the data set from the telephone-based survey in a sample of 1000 respondents representative for targeted age strata of Polish society. The effects of Internet use were assessed with logistic regression models after adjusting for key socioeconomic variables. Results Mean age (standard deviation) of respondents was 64.2 (9.6). In the study group, 51.1% respondents were Internet users, 19.4% - persons with disabilities, 21.2% were hospitalised at least once, and 51.0% visited health care facilities at least six times in preceding 12 months. The respondents being Internet users less frequently reported chronic diseases (OR, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.16-0.30), disability status (0.52, 0.37-0.72) and higher self-assessed health status (1.64, 1.24-2.16). They also less often used health services in the preceding 12 months (0.77, 0.60-0.99. Internet use was not associated with hospital admission in the preceding year (1.04, 0.76-1.41) and most of the health behaviours (smoking: 1.06, 0.77-1.45, physical activity: 0.85, 0.63-1.15, the consumption of fruits and vegetables: 0.73, 0.50-1.07). Interestingly, Internet users drunk more alcohol (1.52, 1.14-2.02). Conclusions In the population of older adults, the use of the Internet is associated with variables reflecting health status and the utilisation of health services. Higher health status and lower prevalence of chronic conditions among Internet users were found after adjusting for age and other socioeconomic factors. Key messages It was shown that Internet use may be related with more favourable health outcomes. The reported association should trigger further research on the impact of Internet in elderly persons.

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