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Technology use characteristics among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-cultural survey

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  • Elimelech, Ortal Cohen
  • Ferrante, Simona
  • Josman, Naomi
  • Meyer, Sonya
  • Lunardini, Francesca
  • Gómez-Raja, Jonathan
  • Galán, Carmen
  • Cáceres, Pilar
  • Sciama, Piera
  • Gros, Marianne
  • Vurro, Clodia
  • Rosenblum, Sara

Abstract

Personal computers, tablets, and smartphones may support older adults' engagement when people are required to stay home and opportunities to engage in meaningful activities are reduced during the COVID-19 period. This study aims to screen older adults’ technology-use characteristics across social, leisure, and education domains during the COVID-19 pandemic from a crosscultural viewpoint. The sample included 576 participants aged 60 and older from France (n = 62), Spain (n = 110), and Israel (n = 404). Participants completed the technology-use survey, which consists of questions about their facilities, technology usability, need for adaptations to support technology use, and changes in technology use since COVID-19. Significant differences were found between countries in facilities, χ2 (2) = 25.16, p < .001, and usability, χ2 (2) = 64.14, p < .001, across the three domains. Furthermore, 34% of technological usability was predicted by country and facilities, F (4, 568) = 72.39, p < .001. Participants noted a willingness to use technology if it was adapted for social (61%–73%), leisure (51%–71%), or educational (67%–76%) activities and that they devoted substantially more time to technology across domains (>58%) due to COVID-19. These findings highlight culture and facilities as factors that play an imperative role in supporting and enhancing the usability of technology among older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Elimelech, Ortal Cohen & Ferrante, Simona & Josman, Naomi & Meyer, Sonya & Lunardini, Francesca & Gómez-Raja, Jonathan & Galán, Carmen & Cáceres, Pilar & Sciama, Piera & Gros, Marianne & Vurro, Clodia, 2022. "Technology use characteristics among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-cultural survey," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:71:y:2022:i:c:s0160791x22002214
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102080
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Perdana, Arif & Mokhtar, Intan Azura, 2022. "Seniors’ adoption of digital devices and virtual event platforms in Singapore during Covid-19," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    2. Chia-Chien Hsu & Brian Sandford & Chia-Ju Ling & Ching-Torng Lin, 2021. "Can the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Help Explain Subjective Well-Being in Senior Citizens due to Gateball Participation?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Anne C Krendl & Brea L Perry & Derek M Isaacowitz, 2021. "The Impact of Sheltering in Place During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults’ Social and Mental Well-Being," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 53-58.
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    4. Yuen, Kum Fai & Ng, Wei Hong & Wang, Xueqin, 2023. "Switching intention in the online crowdsourced delivery environment: The influence of a platform's technological characteristics and relational bonding strategies," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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