The Impact of an Internet Use Promotion Programme on Communication, Internet Use, and the Extent of Social Networks among Low-Income Older Adults

Abstract

We examined whether an internet use promotion intervention influences low-income older adults' communication modes, internet use, and social networks using existing data collected for an intervention. Participants living in public senior housing facilities in the United States (n = 77) completed surveys before and after a 12-week computer and internet training. The six-item Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) was used to measure the extent of older adults' social networks. The primary mode of communication shifted from more traditional means to internet-based communications (p < .0005 in a Fisher's exact test). The frequency of internet use significantly increased (p < .00005 in a one-sided Sign test). Overall, the LSNS-6 score increased by 4.1 points (p < .00005 in a Welch's t-test). The LSNS-6 score increase was significantly larger among African Americans than Whites, controlling for gender (p < .05 in negative binomial regression). Moderate (p < .005) and frequent internet users (p < .05) had higher LSNS-6 scores than rare internet users at posttest when gender and race were controlled for in linear regression. Comparatively more improvement in the extent of social networks among African Americans suggests greater benefits of such interventions for population groups of disadvantaged backgrounds. Larger social networks among moderate and frequent internet users than rare users suggest positive impacts of internet communications on social networks.

Factors influencing technology use among low-income older adults: A systematic review

“…Samples in the studies included in our systematic review samples were low-income older adults who ranged between ages fifty and one hundred and six years (one study did not report the age range), with a total of 8623 older adults in all 17 studies. Among these studies, a wide range of low-income financial indicators were observed with annual income of less than USD $5000 on the lower end of the scale or less than 100% poverty level and below USD $35,000 or above 200% poverty level on the higher end of the scale [ 55 , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] , [64] , [65] ]. Studies also reported income-to-needs ratio (amount of income relative to the cost of living) below 1.21 [ 56 ]; and income in the past 30 days of USD $0-$1150 [ 66 ] (four studies did not report the income range or percentage of poverty level) [ [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] ].…”

“…Studies also reported income-to-needs ratio (amount of income relative to the cost of living) below 1.21 [ 56 ]; and income in the past 30 days of USD $0-$1150 [ 66 ] (four studies did not report the income range or percentage of poverty level) [ [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] ]. Notably, the sample characteristics were diverse across the studies, such as: homeless-experienced [ 66 ]; homebound due to mobility impairment [ 56 ]; US Medicare beneficiaries [ 60 ]; patients at health centres or urban and rural clinics serving low-income populations [ 55 , 57 , 70 ]; immigrants [ 62 , 67 ]; immigrants living in subsidized independent living residential [ 58 , 59 ]; older adults living with a disability, from subsidized public apartments [ 64 ]; older adults living in public senior housing facilities [ 63 , 69 ]; minorities residing in an affordable housing complex [ 19 ]; marginalized older adults from different racial or ethnic backgrounds [ 68 ]; members of a community centre located in one of the poorest neighbourhoods [ 65 ]; and older adults receiving home-delivered meals from aging-service agency [ 61 ]. In general, the population studied had cognitive impairment, and impairments in executive function [ 66 ]; were being treated for a chronic disease (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular disease) [ 55 , 57 ]; had an average of three chronic illnesses, diagnosis of depression and anxiety [ 56 ]; had chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic pain and asthma [ 19 , 58 , 59 ]; and were mobility impaired, homebound, having moderately severe to severe depressive symptoms [ 61 ].…”

“…The lack of access to technical support hindered sustained technology use because technical assistance is imperative for low-income older adults who have lower computer and Internet proficiency [ 69 ]. Computer and Internet training not only impact technology use positively, but also increase technology use frequency [ 63 ]. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that low-income older adults wanted to use technology because of its perceived benefits, but access to technology inhibited their use [ 64 , 69 , 70 ].…”

The Systematic Integrative Narrative Review on Community Support Practices and Outcomes in Social and Community Housing

“…Social networks. Several authors refer to the social advantage of social and community • housing using the social network theory (Deville-Stoetzel et al, 2021), social cohesion (Woodard & Rossouw, 2021), social identity theoretical framework (Winer, Dunlap, St. Pierre, McInnes, & Schutt, 2021), and the social augmentation and social displacement perspective (Kim et al, 2022).…”

Relationship between social networks and medication counts: A 1‐year follow‐up pilot study

“…However, whether improving or worsening social isolation has an impact on medication counts remains unclear. An abbreviated version of the Lubben social network scale 6 (LSNS-6), which measures the extent of social networks in older adults, 5,6 is widely used for its simplicity and ease of administration. 7 Regarding non-English speakers, including Japanese speakers, this abbreviated translated version seems to function better compared with the broader version of the instrument.…”