Modifications in the perceptions about the use of mobile phones in old people after an interplay program using technological devices

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AbstractBackgroundIn the elderly the management of technology has a great impact to nurture their autonomy (Camacho Coronel et al., 2019). In this work, we propose to study whether perceptions change after people´s exposure to the use of technology through a general technology program or a more specific mobile‐phone use program. Sample: 28 elderly people (between 65 and 90 years) without cognitive impairment.MethodAn experimental study was carried out with two groups (experimental GE and active control GC) matched in age (p = .620), educational level (p = .757) and experience in the use of technologies (p = .321). Both groups received training (3 months) through the use of tablets. Subsequently, the GE received an additional two‐week training on the use of cell phones. The Technology Acceptance Questionnaire (Chen & Chan, 2014) oriented to cell phone use was administered before and after the intervention.ResultBy means of the Friedman test, comparisons were established between the pre and post intervention measures with all the participants on the variables of acceptance of the technology. Significant differences were observed in Self‐efficacy (p<0.05), Utility (p<0.05) and Anxiety (p<0.05). Subsequently, the analysis was divided into groups and it was observed that the EG presented significant values in Anxiety (p = 0.03), Utility (p = 0.02) and Self‐efficacy (p = 0.08), while the CG presented significant values in Self‐efficacy (p = 0.08) and values that were not significant, although they were close in usefulness (p = 0.096) and anxiety (p = 0.059). The variables conditions of Facilitation and Attitude toward use did not present significant changes in any group.ConclusionThe results indicate that the measure of Self‐efficacy in the use of technology improves in older people after using a technological product for a while. However, the group that received training in the use of the cell phone also increased the Perceived Utility and Anxiety in the use of technology. In old age, knowing the usefulness of technology and self‐perceiving how effectively it can be used can generate benefits such as greater security and decreased anxiety in the face of technology.