Technology Access and Use, and Their Associations With Social Engagement Among Older Adults: Do Women and Men Differ?

Kim, Jeehoon; Lee, Hee Yun; Christensen, M. Candace; Merighi, Joseph R.

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbw123

Cited by 91 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Gender has been another focus of study, with Eurostat data and other surveys showing that while Internet usage is fairly equal between genders in the general population, older women still lag behind older men in their adoption of digital devices and Internet usage [29]. While some studies have found no significant associations between gender and ICT use [53], other studies have argued that gender differences in usage disappear if controlled for education, income, technical interest, preretirement computer use and marital status [16] and that 'gender inequality in ICT use may be diminishing among older citizens who were able to access and use ICT' [29]. Kim et al [29] found that older men were 'more likely than women to access and use digital technology for different purposes.…”

Section: Gender-based Digital Dividementioning

confidence: 99%

The socio-demographic divide in Internet usage moderated by digital literacy support

Morueta

Aguaded

Hernando

2018

Technology in Society

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Section: Gender-based Digital Dividementioning

confidence: 99%

The socio-demographic divide in Internet usage moderated by digital literacy support

Morueta

Aguaded

Hernando

2018

Technology in Society

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“…Conversely, older women are reported to be willing and able to use ICT to communicate with their families and friends, to maintain their independence and develop their social identities (Ratzenböck, 2017; Xie, 2003). Differences in access to and use of technology may be due to differences in life experiences between older men and women such as education, paid employment and expectations about caring responsibilities which may have influenced the exposure that older women have had to ICT (Kim et al , 2016). Men are reported to use communication technology more frequently than women and were more likely to use the internet for dealing with personal tasks and health matters (Kim et al , 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differences in access to and use of technology may be due to differences in life experiences between older men and women such as education, paid employment and expectations about caring responsibilities which may have influenced the exposure that older women have had to ICT (Kim et al , 2016). Men are reported to use communication technology more frequently than women and were more likely to use the internet for dealing with personal tasks and health matters (Kim et al , 2016). These findings may account for the attitudes expressed in the study participants who were predominantly older women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of older people in Ireland and Australia about the use of technology to address falls prevention

Mackenzie¹,

Clifford

2018

Ageing and Society

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Falls are common events with serious consequences for older people. With an ageing population and increasing health-care costs, information and communication technologies (ICT) will have a potential role in future health-care delivery. However, research on technology acceptance in health care for older people is limited and its application to falls prevention is unknown. The aims of this study were to explore and describe the perceptions of community-dwelling Australian and Irish older people about their current use of technology, and the potential use of technology for falls prevention. Qualitative data were collected from three focus groups conducted in and around Limerick in Ireland, and three in the Sydney area, Australia. A total of 35 older people participated. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: (a) perceptions of vulnerability to falls, (b) preferences for exercise interventions, (c) participation in and ownership of technology, and (d) perceptions about applications of technology for falls prevention. As the use of technology is an instrumental activity of daily living, health professionals need to assess the capacity of older people to adopt these technologies, and provide falls prevention interventions to accommodate the technology skills of older people. Some participants were reluctant to embrace technology and barriers to the effective use of technology to assist in preventing falls may conflict with future health service trends.

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“…Further, the majority of the older adult participants were female, and findings may not be generalizable to male older adults. However, this is an interesting finding since past research shows that female older adults lag behind male older adults in technology adoption, specifically digital devices and internet use (Kim, Lee, Christensen, & Merighi, 2017;Pew Research Center, 2014). Findings from Kim and colleagues (2017) also found that women who used information and communication technology had an increased likelihood to take part in formal social participation opportunities, including volunteering, religious participation, and attending classes, clubs or organized activities.…”

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Older adults learning technology in an intergenerational program: Qualitative analysis of areas of technology requested for assistance

LoBuono¹,

Leedahl²,

Maiocco³

2019

Gerontechnology

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Older adults learning technology in an intergenerational program: Qualitative analysis of areas of technology requested for assistance. Gerontechnology 2019;18(2):97-107; https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2019.18.2.004.00 Adults 65 and older are adapting to technology at a slower rate compared to the overall population. Research has shown that programs can assist older adults in learning and embracing technology. However, little information exists about what specific forms of technology older adults are interested in learning and for what purposes. To describe areas of technology older adults are interested in learning and why this study examined qualitative data from an intergenerational service-learning program in which students in higher education assist and mentor older adults with and about technology that older adults want to learn. Data was analyzed from in-depth observation logs maintained by students after each educational session. Eight themes emerged related to areas of technology older adults were interested in learning about: basic functions, staying connected, organization, leisure, managing photos, productivity, managing money, and health. Of the 827 total phrases coded, the top themes related to technology use were: basic function (28%), staying connected (23%), and organization (15%). The majority of older adults requested help with their devices' basic functions, including an orientation to mobile devices, tablet and/or computer, making tactile functions easier, creating accounts, setting and restoring passwords, and understanding basic cyber security. Findings from this study reinforce that older adults are interested in learning the technology basics, which may lead to utilization of technology for social, civic, and productive engagement purposes in addition to managing health. This study provides valuable information for organizations that help older adults learn technology and for entities that design technology or want to increase technology adoption for older adults.

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Technology Access and Use, and Their Associations With Social Engagement Among Older Adults: Do Women and Men Differ?

Abstract: This study supports the expansion of the successful aging model by incorporating ICT access and use. Further, it assists in the identification of specific technologies that promote active engagement in later life for women and men.

Cited by 91 publications

References 37 publications

The socio-demographic divide in Internet usage moderated by digital literacy support

The socio-demographic divide in Internet usage moderated by digital literacy support

Perceptions of older people in Ireland and Australia about the use of technology to address falls prevention

Older adults learning technology in an intergenerational program: Qualitative analysis of areas of technology requested for assistance

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