scholarly journals Older Adults’ Internet Use Is Varied, Suggesting the Need for Targeted Rather Than Broadly Focused Outreach

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-105
Author(s):  
Ann Glusker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Health Factors ◽  
Use Of The Internet

A Review of: van Boekel, L.C., Peek, S. T., & Luijkx, K.G. (2017). Diversity in older adults’ use of the Internet: Identifying subgroups through latent class analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(5:e180), 1-10. doi: 10.2196/jmir.6853 Abstract Objective – To determine the amount and types of variation in Internet use among older adults, and to test its relationship to social and health factors. Design – Representative longitudinal survey panel of households Setting – The Netherlands Subjects – A panel with 1,418 members who were over 65 years of age had answered the survey questionnaire that included Internet use questions, and who reported access to and use of the Internet. Methods – Using information about the Internet activities the respondents reported, the authors conducted latent class analysis and extracted a best-fitting model including four clusters of respondent Internet use types.  The four groups were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared using ANOVA and chi-square tests.  Analysis and comparisons were conducted both between groups, and on the relationship of the groups with a range of social and health variables. Main Results – The four clusters identified included: 1) practical users using the Internet for practical purposes such as financial transactions; 2) social users using the Internet for activities such as social media and gaming; 3) minimizers, who spent the least time on the Internet and were the oldest group; and 4) maximizers, who used the Internet for the widest range of purposes, for the most time, and who were the youngest group.  Once the clusters were delineated, social and health factors were examined (specifically social and emotional loneliness, psychological well-being, and two activities of daily living (ADL) measures).  There were significant differences between groups, but the effect sizes were small.  Practical users had higher psychological well-being, whereas minimizers had the lowest scores related to ADLs and overall health (however, they were also the oldest group). Conclusions – The establishment of four clusters of Internet use types demonstrates that older adults are not homogeneous in their Internet practices.  However, there were no marked findings showing differences between the clusters in social and health-related variables (the minimizers reported lower health status, but they were also the oldest group).  Nevertheless, the finding of Internet use heterogeneity is an important one for those who wish to connect with older adults through Internet-based programming.  The different patterns evidenced in each cluster will require differing outreach strategies. It also highlights the need for ongoing longitudinal research, to determine whether those who are currently younger and more technologically savvy will age into similar patterns that these authors found, or whether a new set of older adult Internet use profiles will emerge as younger generations with more Internet experience and affinity become older.

scholarly journals Problematic use of the Internet is a unidimensional quasi-trait with impulsive and compulsive subtypes

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeggan Tiego ◽  
Christine Lochner ◽  
Konstantinos Ioannidis ◽  
Matthias Brand ◽  
Dan J. Stein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Problematic Use ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Abstract Background Problematic use of the Internet has been highlighted as needing further study by international bodies, including the European Union and American Psychiatric Association. Knowledge regarding the optimal classification of problematic use of the Internet, subtypes, and associations with clinical disorders has been hindered by reliance on measurement instruments characterized by limited psychometric properties and external validation. Methods Non-treatment seeking individuals were recruited from the community of Stellenbosch, South Africa (N = 1661), and Chicago, United States of America (N = 827). Participants completed an online version of the Internet Addiction Test, a widely used measure of problematic use of the Internet consisting of 20-items, measured on a 5-point Likert-scale. The online questions also included demographic measures, time spent engaging in different online activities, and clinical scales. The psychometric properties of the Internet Addiction Test, and potential problematic use of the Internet subtypes, were characterized using factor analysis and latent class analysis. Results Internet Addiction Test data were optimally conceptualized as unidimensional. Latent class analysis identified two groups: those essentially free from Internet use problems, and those with problematic use of the Internet situated along a unidimensional spectrum. Internet Addiction Test scores clearly differentiated these groups, but with different optimal cut-offs at each site. In the larger Stellenbosch dataset, there was evidence for two subtypes of problematic use of the Internet that differed in severity: a lower severity “impulsive” subtype (linked with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), and a higher severity “compulsive” subtype (linked with obsessive-compulsive personality traits). Conclusions Problematic use of the Internet as measured by the Internet Addiction Test reflects a quasi-trait - a unipolar dimension in which most variance is restricted to a subset of people with problems regulating Internet use. There was no evidence for subtypes based on the type of online activities engaged in, which increased similarly with overall severity of Internet use problems. Measures of comorbid psychiatric symptoms, along with impulsivity, and compulsivity, appear valuable for differentiating clinical subtypes and could be included in the development of new instruments for assessing the presence and severity of Internet use problems.

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.

Older married couples’ sexual expression: A dyadic latent class analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 3139-3159
Author(s):  
David F. Warner ◽  
Heidi A. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Sexual Expression ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Health Factors

Many older adults continue to engage in sexual behavior, most often in the context of long-term marriages. Prior studies have tended to examine older adults’ sexual behavior, desires and motivations separately. Thus, there remain considerable gaps in our understanding of the multifaceted-nature of older couples’ sexual expression. Using dyadic latent class analysis and data on 953 heterosexual couples in long-term marriages from Wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), we describe configurations of couples’ sexual expression. Four latent classes were identified. Within each latent class, couples were largely in agreement about their sexual behaviors, but husbands consistently expressed greater desire and motivation than their wives. In the highest engagement class, couples reported more frequent and wide-ranging activities (vaginal sex, oral sex, intimate touching), more frequent thinking about sex, greater satisfaction with their amount of sexual activity, and placed more importance on sex as part of their lives. In the lowest engagement class, both spouses indicated no sexual activity in the past year, but neither spouse was content with this situation even as both agreed sex was not an important part of life. Demographic, relational, and health factors were associated with membership in different classes. Health factors—especially sexual difficulties—were most predictive, with husbands’ health more associated with latent class membership than wives’ health. Given the complex and multifaceted nature of sexual expression among older married couples, geriatricians and other health practitioners should provide care that recognizes a wider array of activities and the potential for unmet need. Sexual expression is an important component of older adults’ health and well-being.

scholarly journals Activity Profiles among Older Adults: Latent Class Analysis Using the Korean Time Use Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8786
Author(s):  
Yungsoo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Time Use Survey

This study empirically explored the activity profiles of Korean older adults by considering a wide range of activities simultaneously and further investigated the socioeconomic factors associated with activity profiles. Gender differences in activity profiles were examined in-depth. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify activity profiles based on a nationally representative sample of older adults from the most recent two waves of the Korean Time Use Survey (n = 3034 for 2014 and n = 3960 for 2019). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to further examine the factors associated with the activity profiles. The findings revealed four distinct activity groups, although there were differences in activity profiles between the two waves. Several sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, assets and income, were significantly associated with the activity profiles. Findings from this study can inform policy makers seeking interventions that enhance the overall well-being of older adults through activity engagement.

scholarly journals Relationship Quality With Adult Children Among Grandparent Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 75-75
Author(s):  
Heejung Jang
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Grandparent Caregivers ◽  
Grandparent Caregiving

Abstract For the increasing number of grandparent caregivers, relationship quality with adult children has important implications for the well-being of grandparents. Based on solidarity, conflict, and ambivalence, the present study examines how parent-adult children's relationships differ by grandparent caregiving status on depressive symptoms and psychological well-being. This study uses The 2014 Health and Retirement Study from a sample of 1,197 grandparent caregivers age 51 and older. Latent class analysis is applied to measure affection and conflict in older grandparents-adult children relationships. Results from the latent class analysis identified four clusters: amicable, ambivalent, detached, and disharmonious. OLS regression models are estimated the association between relationship types and depressive symptoms and psychological well-being by grandparent caregiving. For the depressive symptoms, disharmonious relationships with adult children increase depressive symptoms among co-parenting and custodial grandparents. Also, ambivalent and disharmonious relationships with adult children reduce the psychological well-being of older grandparents. The study discusses the variances of the relationships with adult children and their effects on grandparents’ well-being. The results will shed light on the importance of familial relationships and will be beneficial for the development and maintenance of policies and practices that support the families of grandparent caregivers.

Older Adults and Their Internet Behaviors

2012 ◽  
pp. 608-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Mazur ◽  
Margaret L. Signorella ◽  
Michelle Hough
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Attitudinal Barriers ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Early research on older adult computer users focused on the possibility for technology to increase social interaction and alleviate loneliness. Subsequent research has been equivocal on the possible benefits of the Internet for well-being. Nonetheless, in spite of an initial “gray gap,” older adults are increasingly joining younger cohorts in using the Internet. Barriers to older adults’ use of the Internet remain, such as physical and cognitive limitations. Attitudinal barriers may exist, but it is unclear whether these result from lack of experience or differences in income or health status. Business researchers have found that older persons differ from other age groups in their Internet engagement patterns, including online buying. Future research directions include whether computers can improve cognitive functioning and quality of life, how to increase engagement levels, and if there will always be a lag in technology use among older adults.

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