Internet Use Among Older Adults: Association With Health Needs, Psychological Capital, and Social Capital

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified socioeconomic status and health status as predictors of older adults’ computer and Internet use, but researchers have not examined the relationships between older adults’ health needs and psychological capital (emotional well-being and self-efficacy) and social capital (social integration/ties and support networks) to different types of Internet use.ObjectiveThis study examined (1) whether older adults’ health conditions and psychological and social capital differentiate Internet users from nonusers, and (2) whether the Internet users differed in their types of Internet use on the basis of their health conditions and psychological and social capital.MethodsData for this study came from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, which is based on a nationally representative sample of US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. The sample for this study were those who resided in the community in their own or others’ homes (N=6680). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to compare health needs, psychological capital, and social capital among (1) any type of Internet users and nonusers, (2) Internet users who engaged in health-related tasks and Internet users who did not, (3) Internet users who engaged in shopping/banking tasks and Internet users who did not, and (4) Internet users only used the Internet for email/texting and all other Internet users.ResultsDepressive and anxiety symptoms, measures of psychological capital, were negatively associated with Internet use among older adults (odds ratio [OR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.98, P=.03 and OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.97, P=.03, respectively), whereas most measures of social capital were positively associated with Internet use. Having more chronic medical conditions and engaging in formal volunteering increased the odds of Internet use for health-related tasks by 1.15 (95% CI 1.08-1.23, P<.001) and 1.28 (95% CI 1.05-1.57, P=.02), respectively, but anxiety symptoms decreased the odds (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99, P=.05). Religious service attendance was negatively associated with Internet use for shopping/banking activities (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.91, P=.01). Anxiety symptoms increased the odds of using the Internet only for emails/texting (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.12-2.75, P=.02), but formal volunteering decreased the odds (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43-0.92, P=.02). Other correlates of Internet use solely for emails/texting were older age (80-84 years and ≥85 years), a black or “other” racial/ethnic background, a high school education or less than high school, and lower income.ConclusionsThe findings point to the importance of social capital in facilitating older adults’ learning and adoption of Internet technology. Older adults who used the Internet for email/texting purposes only were the most socially and economically disadvantaged group of Internet users. Computer/Internet training for older adults and computer/Internet use for various purposes need to consider the significant role their social capital can play.

Attitudes of active older Internet users towards online social networking

“…Still, from the report, it is evident that those older people with higher education more easily and quickly adapt to technology use. Similarly, Choi and DiNitto (2013), conclude that education is one of the strongest determinants in relation to older people's computer and Internet use. Our study additionally showed the difference in computer and Internet use according to the living environment; active older Internet users in towns use computers and the Internet more frequently, compared to those who live in the countryside.…”

Older adults and mobile technology: Factors that enhance and inhibit utilization in the context of behavioral health

“…Using a sample of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years old and older (N=6,680), Choi and DiNitto et al [79] found that having more chronic medical conditions increased the odds of using the internet for health-related tasks by 15% and that depression and anxiety were negatively related to internet use. While anxiety symptoms reduced internet use by 26%, they increased use of emailing and text messaging (measured in aggregate) by 75%.…”

“…due to its burdensome cost [44]. Individuals from impoverished socioeconomic classes will be hardest hit by these burdens [40,79,80] disproportionately affecting certain racial and ethnic groups. AfricanAmericans and Latinos are far more likely to be reliant on their smartphones for internet access and to report no access to broad band services.…”

“…Among those older adults who experience increasing disability with age, many may experience more than one (e.g., low vision and hand tremors) and differing intensity of those disabilities-requiring much different levels of accommodation both from the device and the services provided [33,36,70,96]. Service providers will need to determine their specific audience for their mHealth interventions, including considering cognitive limitations or preferences that result directly from behavioral health issues [79].…”

Perceptions on technology for volunteer respite care for bedridden elders in Chile

“…However, other factors do influence access and use of technologies and the Internet. For example, the higher socioeconomic level, the greater number of opportunities one has to acquire the latest technology (Choi, 2011; Choi & DiNitto, 2013; Jensen, King, Davis, & Guntzviller, 2010). Attitude is another factor associated with Internet use, where even senior citizens’ use of technology is mediated by the style with which they approach this technology.…”