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Internet usage among the oldest-old: does functional health moderate the relationship between internet usage and autonomy?

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  • Veronica Oswald

    (University of Cologne)

  • Michael Wagner

    (University of Cologne)

Abstract

In recent years, research on internet usage in old age and its associations with well-being outcomes has increased. However, the oldest-old age group (80 years and older) is frequently underrepresented, and autonomy and functional health are rarely considered in these studies. By applying moderation analyses with a representative dataset of the oldest-old in Germany (N = 1863), our study has analyzed the hypothesis that the autonomy of older individuals, in particular of those with limited functional health, can be enhanced by internet usage. The moderation analyses indicate that the positive association between internet usage and autonomy is greater for older individuals with lower functional health. This association remained significant after controlling for social support, housing situation, education, gender, and age. Explanations for these results are discussed, and imply that further research is needed to understand the relationships between internet usage, functional health, and autonomy.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:20:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-023-00748-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-023-00748-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shelia R. Cotten & George Ford & Sherry Ford & Timothy M. Hale, 2014. "Editor's choice Internet Use and Depression Among Retired Older Adults in the United States: A Longitudinal Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 69(5), pages 763-771.
    2. 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.
    3. Oliver Huxhold & Elena Hees & Noah J. Webster, 2020. "Towards bridging the grey digital divide: changes in internet access and its predictors from 2002 to 2014 in Germany," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 271-280, September.
    4. Karin Slegers & Martin P. J. van Boxtel & Jelle Jolles, 2008. "Effects of Computer Training and Internet Usage on the Well-Being and Quality of Life of Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Study," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 63(3), pages 176-184.
    5. Galit Nimrod & Jan Warren-Findlow, 2020. "Aging Well in the Digital Age: Technology in Processes of Selective Optimization with Compensation," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(9), pages 2008-2017.
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