Exploring User Behaviour to Predict Influencing Factors in Technology use for active and healthy ageing by Older Adults

Abstract

Background and Objectives. Sensor-based health technologies for active and healthy ageing support may improve older adults’ health and quality of life. However, people often stop using them before significant impacts on health or quality of life occur, mainly due to insufficient motivation for technology use. Aim of this study was to investigate the influence of technological and social cognitive factors towards the use of sensor-based health technologies by older adults. Research Design and Methods. In a mixed methods approach, data was initially obtained from an online questionnaire completed by older health technology users and used in a regression analysis, where factors from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) served as predictors for health technology use (HTU). Further, in-depth interviews were conducted with older adults to gain insights into technology use and physical activity behavior of older adults. Results. The regression analysis showed that the TAM and SCT factors accounted for a significant proportion of variance (39.5%) in HTU. Significant predictors of HTU were physical activity (.399**), social support (.287*), and expectations regarding individual health (.440*) and physical appearance (-.470**), indicating physical activity as mediator for HTU. The qualitative analysis indicated the conflation of technology support with social environments as key for physical activity behavior in older adults. Discussion and implications. The findings indicate physical activity as a mediator in HTU by older adults and suggest that the consideration of social factors in health technology design may facilitate the uptake of AHA technologies.