Abstract
Background and ObjectivesA 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 MethodsWe 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.ResultsThe 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 ImplicationsThis 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.
Highlights
Background and ObjectivesA good person-environment-fit has positive effects on well-being in old age
Available public statistics often overestimate the percentages of older information and communication technologies (ICT) users because the statistics are mostly based on samples of community-dwelling older adults and do not consider older adults who live in institutional care settings (Cotten, 2017). Our study addresses these gaps in the research and analyzes the relationship between ICT use and subjective well-being in very old age
1,698 interviews with individuals aged 80 years and older were analyzed, and we found that 38.5% (n = 653) do not use ICT, 35.6% (n = 604) use nonweb ICT, and 25.9% (n = 440) use web-connected ICT (web ICT)
Summary
Background and ObjectivesA good person-environment-fit has positive effects on well-being in old age. 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). 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. Web-connected ICT devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) are defined by their access to the Internet (web connection), whereas nonwebconnected ICT (e.g., old mobile phones) do not access the Internet
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