Older adults’ self-efficacy in computer use and the factors that impact their self-efficacy: a path analysis

Abstract

The current study examined the older adults' self-efficacy in computer use and explored the factors that impacted and mediated their self-efficacy. Older adults (N = 339) were recruited from a western mid-size city in the U.S. and participated in a survey. Results of the path analysis revealed that computer experience and financial health factors were predictors that significantly impacted the outcome, i.e., the older adults' self-efficacy in computer use. Meanwhile, this predicting-outcome relationship was mediated by the mediators like perception of computer role, overall life satisfaction, and emotional well-being. The study is significant in that it contributes to the research and practicing community the understanding of the relationship between older adults' self-efficacy in computer use and the factors that predict and mediate older adults' self-efficacy in computer use. Research has demonstrated that older adults often experience a lack of confidence when using digital technology (Daniel et al., 2011; Zheng et al., 2016). Reneland-Forsman (2018) investigated older adults' digital participation and noted that lacking self-confidence can significantly impact older adults' abilities to use digital technology in meeting their late-life needs including health care, financial management, retirement planning and recreational needs. Although previous research has revealed the relationship between self-efficacy and efficiency of computer use in older adults (Gatti et al., 2017; Reneland-Forsman, 2018), few studies have actually looked into the factors that influence older adults' self-efficacy in computer use. This line of research is important because by determining the factors that impact older adults' self-efficacy in computer use, the educators, curriculum developers and trainers will be able to identify the approaches that are effective for improving older adults' self-efficacy as well as their abilities to confidently use the computers. Therefore, the goal of the current study is to investigate the factors that relate to older adults' self-efficacy in computer use. Theoretical background The increase of aging population is accompanied by a parallel surge in the use of computer and Internet among older adults (Huber & Watson, 2014). A recent study by International Telecommunication Union (2019) showed an estimated 4.1 billion people are using the Internet in 2019, reflecting a 5.3% increase compared with 2018 and 14.5% increase compared with 2014. Among the growing population of Internet users, older people are increasingly becoming active users of social media where they find information, share their experiences and connect with friends and family

A qualitative study to inform adaptations to a brain health intervention for older adults with type 2 diabetes living in rural regions of Ireland

“…Self‐perceived computer efficacy was limited in our population which may have been linked to a lack of access to technology and overall computer experience. Other research has shown that older adults can experience a lack of confidence using digital technology 29 . Of note, adherence to the CCT was lowest for all components tested in the multidomain FINGER intervention 6 and home adherence to CCT was also poor in the MIND‐AD MINI trial since participants did not have a computer or found it challenging to use a computer 22 .…”

“…Other research has shown that older adults can experience a lack of confidence using digital technology. 29 Of note, adherence to the CCT was lowest for all components tested in the multidomain FINGER intervention 6 and home adherence to CCT was also poor in the MIND-AD MINI trial since participants did not have a computer or found it challenging to use a computer. 22 While computerised interventions may not be acceptable for all older people, the Healthy Ageing Through Internet Counselling in the Elderly trial demonstrated that a computer-based intervention was both feasible and acceptable in older adults and supported meaningful lifestyle behaviour change and improved health outcomes.…”

The social connectedness of digital practices in later life: It’s not just about learning, it’s all about relationships

“…Friemel, 2016; Quan-Haase et al, 2018) or instrumental positions (e.g. Campbell, 2004; Campbell & Nolfi, 2005; Spears & Zheng, 2020). The structural position assumes that all older people want to or should use technologies, conceptualising the ‘grey digital divide’ as a gap that should be bridged for social justice (Friemel, 2016).…”