Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Devices Among the Oldest-Old: Loneliness, Anomie, and Autonomy

Abstract

Background and Objectives A good person–environment-fit has positive effects on well-being in old age. As digital technologies are an integral part of older adults’ environments, we predicted that the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is associated with subjective well-being among the oldest-old. Specifically, we compared different user groups of ICT devices (nonusers, users of nonweb-connected ICT, users of web-connected ICT) and analyzed the relations among ICT use and three domains of subjective well-being (loneliness, anomie, autonomy). Research Design and Methods We performed a quantitative data analysis using data from the first representative state-wide survey study in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany on quality of life and well-being of the oldest-old (n = 1,698; age range: 80–103; 9% long-term care). Multiple regression analyses were applied. Results The findings revealed that 25.9% of all individuals aged 80 years and older reported using web-connected ICT, in contrast to 38.5% who do not use ICT at all. Individuals who used web-connected ICT reported lower levels of loneliness and anomie, and higher levels of autonomy. These differences remain significant when controlling for indicators of social inclusion and individual characteristics. Discussion and Implications This study investigated an underexplored group in terms of ICT use, shedding light on the relationship between ICT use and subjective well-being. The oldest-old generally use ICT in their everyday life but an age-related digital divide still exists. To avoid negative consequences of nonuse digital infrastructures and technology training for older adults need to be established.

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

“…By including participants aged 80 years and over, we reported data on a scarcely studied population (oldest-old, old-old) which, however, represent a relevant and growing portion of the general one. Actually, recent observational studies suggested a positive association between ICT use and well-being even among the oldest-old [13,14]. Our study experimentally showed the possibility of promoting long-term SNSs use in oldest-old individuals without previous experience with it.…”

“…Loneliness is the negative feeling derived from the discrepancy between the desired and the actual personal social network, while social isolation usually refers to the objective characteristic of the social network (i.e., number of kin and non-kin relationships) [12]. Observational studies on oldest-old individuals suggest a positive association between ICT use and different aspects of subjective well-being, including loneliness [13,14]. However, a recent review from our group showed that very few studies tested this association using experimental or quasi-experimental design, which is necessary to draw conclusions on the causal relationship between variables [15].…”

Cognitive and Socioaffective Predictors of L2 Microdevelopment in Late Adulthood: A Longitudinal Intervention Study

“…Language learning has received special attention in this regard, as it has been hypothesized to have the potential to prevent isolation and foster linguistic flexibility, self‐esteem, and autonomy (see, e.g., Gabrys–Barker, 2018)—it has even been suggested to be an “anti‐aging activity” (Ryan & Dörnyei, 2013) due to the involvement of a large neural network in L2 learning (e.g., Antoniou & Wright, 2017; Antoniou, Gunasekera, & Wong, 2013; Pot, Porkert, & Keijzer, 2019). Similarly, the use of technology in the third age has been shown to increase autonomy, reduce loneliness, and facilitate independence for a variety of activities, including language learning (Mitzner et al., 2019; Schlomann et al., 2020), yet there is little research on older adults engaging in computer‐assisted language learning (CALL; but see Cox, 2017).…”

Digital inclusion and Internet use among older adults in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

“…In this context, it was found that older adults who used the internet every day and for more than 2 hours were younger than the others and pointed to autonomy and independence as benefits of the internet more often. Researchers report that the young-old have the ability to be more active in society, with preserved functional capacity and with an interest in expanding their possibilities in the human, social and educational fields, with the goal of learning (17) .…”