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Information and Communication Technology Use Is Related to Higher Well-Being Among the Oldest-Old

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  • Tamara Sims
  • Andrew E Reed
  • Dawn C Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesOlder adults often prioritize socially meaningful goals over informational goals. Thus, we predicted that using information and communication technology (ICT) in service of socially meaningful versus informational goals relates to higher well-being among the oldest-old.MethodWe surveyed 445 adults aged 80+ (mean = 84, range = 80–93; 64% female; 26% non-White) online or via telephone. Participants reported motivations for ICT use (connect with others, learn new information) and rated their psychological and physical well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, loneliness, goal attainment, subjective health, functional limitations). We conducted regression and mediation analyses to test our hypothesis.ResultsParticipants used ICT more to connect with friends/family (M = 3.66, SD = 1.28) than to learn information (M = 2.61, SD = 1.44), p < .001. Overall, ICT use predicted higher well-being across outcomes, ps ≤ .008. Motivations for use differentially mediated these effects: Social motivations mediated the relationships between ICT use and psychological well-being, whereas informational motivations mediated the relationships between ICT use and physical well-being.DiscussionOlder adults aged 80+ use ICT less than other generations, but may have much to gain. Using social versus informational technologies may enhance multiple aspects of well-being in different ways during very late life. Highlighting such benefits may increase ICT adoption among the oldest-old.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamara Sims & Andrew E Reed & Dawn C Carr, 2017. "Information and Communication Technology Use Is Related to Higher Well-Being Among the Oldest-Old," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(5), pages 761-770.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:72:y:2017:i:5:p:761-770.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbw130
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wendy A. Rogers & Arthur D. Fisk, 2010. "Toward a Psychological Science of Advanced Technology Design for Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(6), pages 645-653.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena Rolandi & Roberta Vaccaro & Simona Abbondanza & Georgia Casanova & Laura Pettinato & Mauro Colombo & Antonio Guaita, 2020. "Loneliness and Social Engagement in Older Adults Based in Lombardy during the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Long-Term Effects of a Course on Social Networking Sites Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Shuo Shi & Lu Zhang & Guohua Wang, 2023. "Bridging the Digital Divide: Internet Use of Older People from the Perspective of Peer Effects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Zhang, Jiaping & Cheng, Mingwang & Yu, Ning, 2020. "Internet Use and Lower Life Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Environmental Quality Perception," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    4. Ali, Mohammad Afshar & Alam, Khorshed & Taylor, Brad & Rafiq, Shuddhasattwa, 2020. "Does ICT maturity catalyse economic development? Evidence from a panel data estimation approach in OECD countries," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 163-174.
    5. Belinda Paulovich & Sonja Pedell & Erica Tandori & Jeanie Beh, 2022. "Weaving Social Connectivity into the Community Fabric: Exploring Older Adult’s Relationships to Technology and Place," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    6. Veronica Oswald & Michael Wagner, 2023. "Internet usage among the oldest-old: does functional health moderate the relationship between internet usage and autonomy?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Sakino Shinokawa & Hiroki Abe & Risa Takashima & Ryuta Onishi & Michiyo Hirano, 2023. "Verification of the Effectiveness of a Communication Application in Improving Social Connectedness and Physical Health among Unacquainted Older Men: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.

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