Differences In Technology Use Research Articles

Digital communication tools in family therapy: A review of opportunities and challenges for English-Speaking practitioners

Digital communication tools have revolutionized the field of family therapy, offering both opportunities and challenges for English-speaking practitioners. With the proliferation of technology, therapists have access to a wide array of platforms and applications that can enhance therapeutic interventions. However, integrating these tools into practice requires careful consideration of ethical, legal, and clinical implications. Digital communication tools offer numerous advantages for family therapy practitioners. Teletherapy platforms enable therapists to reach clients in remote locations or those with mobility constraints, expanding access to care. Video conferencing allows for face-to-face interactions, facilitating rapport building and nonverbal communication cues essential for effective therapy. Additionally, digital tools such as secure messaging apps or virtual whiteboards enhance communication between sessions, fostering continuity of care and homework completion. Online support groups and forums provide clients with opportunities for peer support and community engagement, supplementing traditional therapy approaches. Despite their benefits, digital communication tools pose significant challenges for English-speaking practitioners. Ensuring confidentiality and data security is paramount, requiring adherence to stringent privacy regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Therapists must navigate issues of informed consent, boundary maintenance, and emergency protocols in the digital realm. Moreover, technological barriers, such as internet connectivity issues or lack of digital literacy among clients, can hinder the effectiveness of therapy sessions. Cultural considerations also play a role, as language barriers or cultural differences in technology use may impact therapeutic engagement. Digital communication tools offer English-speaking family therapy practitioners unprecedented opportunities to enhance therapeutic interventions. However, these tools come with inherent challenges that must be addressed to ensure ethical and effective practice. By carefully navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by digital communication tools, therapists can harness the power of technology to improve client outcomes and advance the field of family therapy.

Higher education students differ in their technology use

Digital media are widely used among Higher Education (HE) students; however, it is not clear yet how students from different disciplines apply learning technology. When differences in technology use were found among disciplines, they were identified broadly, for example, between soft and hard sciences, that is, social sciences/humanities vs. natural sciences. Beyond this, disciplines may also differ according to their traditions, norms and values that form their discipline-specific cultures. Thus, based on the theoretical perspectives of social cognitive theory and organisational culture, this present study aimed to examine students’ technology use in different HE disciplines. In a multilevel analysis, data from four German universities were analyzed, including more than 1,200 students from 105 disciplines. The findings suggest that students in different disciplines vary substantially in their average use of study-related technology. Furthermore, on the individual level, study-related technology use depends on individual factors, e.g., perceived usefulness. This present study's results contribute to further extending our knowledge about student technology use in HE. Above all, the conceptual and methodical models can serve as a theoretical and empirical basis for future studies. To analyze disciplinary differences, the study shows that a rough classification, for example hard versus soft disciplines, is not sufficient. Instead, the different disciplines need to be distinguished.

Racial Disparities in Diabetes Technology Adoption and Their Association with HbA1c and Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Poorer glycemic control and higher diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) rates are seen in racial/ethnic minorities with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Use of diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors (CGM), continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems has been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce DKA risk. We examined race/ethnicity differences in diabetes technology use and their relationship with HbA1c and DKA. Data from patients aged ≥12 years with T1D for ≥1 year, receiving care from a single diabetes center, were examined. Patients were classified as Non-Hispanic White (n=3945), Non-Hispanic Black (Black, n=161), Hispanic (n=719), and Multiracial/Other (n=714). General linear models and logistic regression were used. Black (OR=0.22, 0.15-0.32) and Hispanic (OR=0.37, 0.30-0.45) patients were less likely to use diabetes technology. This disparity was greater in the pediatric population (p-interaction=0.06). Technology use associated with lower HbA1c in each race/ethnic group. Among technology users, AID use associated with lower HbA1c compared to CGM and/or CSII (HbA1c of 8.4% vs 9.2%, respectively), with the greatest difference observed for Black adult AID users. CSII use associated with a lower odds of DKA in the past year (OR=0.73, 0.54-0.99), a relationship that did not vary by race (p-interaction =0.69); this inverse association with DKA was not observed for CGM or AID. Disparities in diabetes technology use, DKA, and glycemic control were apparent among Black and Hispanic patients with T1D. Differences in technology use ameliorated but did not fully account for disparities in HbA1c or DKA.

Relationships, technology and the role of living arrangements during social lockdown related to COVID-19

COVID-19-related social lockdowns had profound consequences in all aspects of social life, yet technology’s role in mediating relationships during lockdown has received little attention. Drawing on a survey of 565 young adults in the UK, we used mixed methods to explore (a) differences in technology use by people in serious romantic relationships (cohabiting vs. living apart together), casual relationships or single; and (b) how COVID-19 influenced long-term, serious relationships. For participants in a serious relationship, technology was used as a strategy to facilitate ongoing communication, enabling partners to achieve ‘intimacy from afar’. Qualitative analysis revealed five reasons (more free time, navigating lockdown restrictions, greater boredom, desire for love and miscellaneous) for online dating profile usage changes. People in serious relationships perceived deeper intimate bonds, boundary issues, less physical intimacy, difficulty with lockdown separation and greater negative impact because of COVID-19. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Understanding accounting fraud motivation, protection procedures, and firms’ performance: External auditors’ perspective

This paper explores accounting fraud motivation, protection procedures, and the impact on firms’ performance from the perspective of external auditors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with highly experienced external public auditors. This paper highlights personal and environmental factors as the two most essential fraud motivations. Examining and checking on the internal audit system’s strengths and weaknesses are more important in detecting fraud than training and auditing procedures. Besides, the findings show that modern technology can minimize the chances of fraud by providing efficient and timely preventive measures (Halbouni et al., 2016). However, it is difficult for software developers to create systems that address new types of fraud, explaining why human auditing skills are vital in detecting procedures. The findings highlight similarities and differences in technology use in the private and public sectors’ fraud protection procedures. Furthermore, fraud activities, directly and indirectly, affect revenues, reputation, and customer trust, respectively (Omar et al., 2016). By understanding the motivations for fraud, protection procedures, and the impact on firms’ performance, this study has the potential to contribute to the development of best practices and effective strategies for preventing, detecting, and managing accounting fraud

Awareness of age-related change is associated with attitudes toward technology and technology skills among older adults.

Despite much research in the context of aging and technology, the role of Views on aging (VoA) for differences in technology use and attitudes among older adults has rarely been studied so far. This study focuses on the associations between a multidimensional measure of VoA and technology use, technology skills, and attitudes toward technology in a sample of older adults (n = 369, age range: 65–93 years, 48.2% male). We apply the concept of Awareness of age-related change (AARC) to examine the role of positive (AARC-Gains) and negative (AARC-Losses) self-perceptions of aging. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. The results showed positive associations of AARC-Gains with technology skills and technology attitudes. For AARC-Losses, we identified negative associations with technology skills, technology attitudes as well as general technology use. In contrast, associations between subjective age (SA) and all technology-related measures were non-significant. The results stress the importance to consider multidimensional measures of VoA to gain a better understanding of the associations between an individuals’ experiencing of own aging processes and technology adoption. More research is needed to determine the stability of these findings in other samples and for other kinds of technology use and attitudes.

Facets of algorithmic literacy: Information, experience, and individual factors predict attitudes toward algorithmic systems

Algorithmic decision-making systems are ubiquitous in digital media, but the public has been largely unable to negotiate the role of algorithms in society. Building from the concept of attitude-behavior consistency for political behavior, we develop a framework for fostering algorithmic literacy to develop well-informed attitudes toward algorithms. As algorithms are increasingly relevant to broad societal effects, an integrative approach is needed for a full account of how the public makes sense of algorithms and their role in society. We designed and tested a novel intervention that combines algorithmic literacy with personalized user experiences to see how each component influenced attitudes toward algorithms. We found these methods jointly informed attitudes, but the intervention’s efficacy was dependent on participants’ individual differences in technology use.

1264-P: Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Use of Diabetes Technology among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries with Type 1 Diabetes

Objective: Recent research highlighted racial and ethnic inequities in the use of diabetes technology among Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries with type 1 diabetes. This study considers inequities among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Methods: We assessed use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pump technologies among beneficiaries with type 1 diabetes using a national database of health care claims between 2018 and 2020. The prevalence of CGM, pump, and combined technology was assessed annually (N = 17231 in 2018; N = 16298 in 2019; N = 15877 in 2020) by race and ethnicity. Within each year and type of technology, chi-square tests assessed differences in use between racial and ethnic groups. Results: Prevalence of diabetes technology increased within each racial and ethnic group over the study period. There were significant differences in technology use between groups by year (p < 0.001) . In 2020, 37.1% of White beneficiaries used CGM devices, compared to 27.8% of Asian, 25.8% of Black, and 21.0% of Hispanic beneficiaries. The absolute difference in CGM use between White beneficiaries and those in other groups was stable or increased from 2018 to 2020. Similar trends were observed in pump use alone or with CGM. Conclusion: While prevalence of diabetes technology increased across all racial and ethnic groups from 2018 to 2020, racial and ethnic inequities have persisted. Disclosure M.Kommareddi: Employee; Medtronic. K.Wherry: Employee; Medtronic. R.A.Vigersky: Employee; Medtronic.

The Experience of Homebound Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BackgroundHomebound older adults have heightened risks for isolation and negative health consequences, but it is unclear how COVID-19 has impacted them. We examine social contact and mood symptoms among previously homebound older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/SettingCross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally-representative longitudinal study of aging in the USA.ParticipantsA total of 3,112 community-dwelling older adults in 2019 who completed the COVID-19 survey in the summer/fall of 2020.MeasurementsHomebound status was defined via self-report as rarely/never leaving home or leaving the house with difficulty or help in the prior month. We measured limited social contact during COVID-19 (in-person, telephone, video or email contacts <once/week), as well as loneliness, anxiety, and depression.ResultsAmong homebound older adults, 13.2% experienced limited social contact during COVID-19 vs. 6.5% of the non-homebound. Differences in social contact were greatest for contacts via email/text/social media: 54.9% of the homebound used this <once/week vs. 28.4% of the non-homebound. In adjusted analyses of those without limited social contact prior to the pandemic, the homebound had higher but not significantly different odds (OR 1.83; 95% CI 0.95–3.52) of limited social contact during COVID-19, with increased risk among the older individuals, those with dementia, and those in assisted living facilities. Of the homebound, 13.2% felt lonely every/most days during the pandemic vs. 7.7% of non-homebound older adults. Homebound and non-homebound older adults reported similar rates of increased loneliness, anxiety, or depression during COVID-19. Fewer homebound older adults learned a new technology during the pandemic (16.3%) vs. non-homebound older adults (30.4%).DiscussionIsolation among homebound older adults increased during COVID-19, partially due to differences in technology use. We must ensure that homebound persons have the connection and care they need including new technologies for communication during and beyond COVID-19.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-021-07361-9.

Technology use and interest in digital apps for mental health promotion and lifestyle intervention among young adults with serious mental illness

Digital technology holds promise for reaching young adults with serious mental illness. This study seeks to characterize technology use and explore interests in digital health interventions among young adults with serious mental illness. A survey was collected from participants age 18–35 enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial about their technology ownership and use; technology use for mental health or other health reasons; and interest in health apps. Responses from 150 participants were summarized. Differences in technology use were compared between individuals with psychotic (n = 65) and non-psychotic disorders (n = 85). Most participants owned mobile phones (92%) and used social media (95%). Smartphone ownership was higher among participants with non-psychotic (98%) compared to psychotic (84%) disorders. Many participants searched online for information about their mental health (73%) or general health (79%). More participants with non-psychotic compared to psychotic disorders expressed interest in apps for depression (71% vs. 54%) or anxiety (78% vs. 54%). Interest in apps for lifestyle, behavioral health, and other health needs was similar between diagnostic groups. These findings may not generalize to all young adults with serious mental illness. There is high access, use, and interest in technology among young adults with serious mental illness. This highlights potential for integrated digital interventions for mental and physical health in this high-risk group.

An Exploration of Bank Confirmation Process Automation: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT This exploratory study examines automation of the bank confirmation process using a longitudinal dataset from the largest third-party U.S. confirmation service provider, supplemented with informal interviews with practitioners. We find a significant increase in electronic confirmation use in the U.S. and internationally. Errors requiring reconfirmation were less than 2 percent of all electronic confirmations. Errors made by auditors were almost five times more likely than errors by bank employees. Most auditor errors involved use of an invalid account number, although invalid client contact, invalid request, and invalid company name errors increased recently. Big 4 auditors made significantly more confirmation errors than did auditors at non-Big 4 national firms. Error rates and error types do not vary between confirmations initiated in the U.S. and those initiated internationally. Three themes emerged for future research: authentication of evidence, global differences in technology use, and technology adoption across firms of different sizes.

OR30-03 Racial Differences in Technology Use Among Type 1 Diabetes in a Safety-Net Hospital

Objective: There is limited data regarding the use of diabetes technology such as continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a minority serving and safety-net hospital. We examined racial differences in the use of CGM and CSII in this setting.Methods: A retrospective review of 227 patients ≥ 18 years of age with T1D seen in the Endocrinology clinic at a safety-net hospital from October 2016 and September 2017 was completed. Statistical analysis assessed the likelihood of diabetes technology use among different races.Results: The mean age was 39, 59% male, mean duration of diabetes was 21 years, 30% overweight, 22% obesity, 80% English speaking, and 50% had government insurance. In terms of the distribution of race/ethnicity, 43% were Caucasian, 25% African American (AA), 15% Hispanic, 15% defined as other, and 2% Asian. Mean HbA1c ± standard deviation (SD) of any technology (either CGM or CSII or both) and non-technology users were 8.27 ± 1.58 and 9.49 ± 2.04, respectively. Patients who had government health insurance were found to have lower odds of using technology (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidential interval [CI], 0.25 - 0.74) compared to patients who had private health insurance. Overall, 26% of the patients used CSII with 43% of this population Caucasian, 10.5% AA and 14.2% Hispanic. The overall CGM use was 30% with 47% of users Caucasian, 14% AA and 22% Hispanic. In a multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for insurance and language, AA or other were found to have statistically significant lower odds of using technology (AA OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.11 - 0.53] and other OR 0.33 [95% CI 0.12 - 0.89]) compared to the Caucasian group.Conclusion: Our study showed that the use of technology in the Caucasian group was statistically significantly higher than in the non-Caucasian groups except for the Asian group. After adjusting for insurance and language, AA and other demonstrated statistically lower rates of technology use. Racial differences in diabetes technology use were observed in our study as well as the association between technology use and lowered HbA1c. Given diabetes technology is a useful tool in reducing HbA1c and hypoglycemia, the barriers to accessing diabetes technology in non-Caucasian individuals should be addressed to decrease health disparities.

Glycated Hemoglobin Differences Among Blog-Reading Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Compared With Those Who Do Not Read Blogs: Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundOf the estimated 23.1 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes, approximately 5% have type 1 diabetes (T1D). It has been proposed that this number will triple by 2050. With increases in technology use and resources available, many individuals are using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to help manage their T1D. They are also using online resources such as social media to find more information and advice based on real-life experiences from peers. Blogs are a particular social media modality often used by people with T1D but have not been widely investigated.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) differences between blog readers and blog nonusers in a population of adults with T1D. This study also looked at differences in technology use in these two groups, as well as HbA1c differences in blog use and technology subgroups.MethodsParticipants were recruited both by mail and by online T1D-themed blog postings. Respondents completed a secure online eligibility assessment and were asked questions related to their T1D, blog and internet use, and insulin pump and CGM use. Demographics were also collected. Differences between blog readers and blog nonusers were tested via chi-square and t tests. Mann-Whitney U tests, Fisher exact tests, and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to test for differences in self-reported HbA1c between groups and subgroups.ResultsA total of 282 eligible participants completed the survey (214 blog readers, 68 blog nonusers). Average duration of diabetes was 21.2 years, 77.7% (219/282) were female, 81.2% (229/282) used an insulin pump, 66.3% (187/282) used a CGM, and 95.7% (270/282) were white. HbA1c was lower for blog readers (7.0%) than blog nonusers (7.5%), P=.006; for insulin pump users (7.0%) than multiple daily injections (7.7%), P=.001; and for CGM users (7.0%) than CGM nonusers (7.5%), P=.001. After adjusting for significant covariates, the association between blog use and HbA1c remained significant (P=.04). ANOVA modeling also demonstrated significant differences in HbA1c between blog users and nonusers among subgroups by pump use and CGM use (P<.001).ConclusionsThese results suggest that reading blogs is associated with lower HbA1c values. While association does not prove causation, blog readers have the benefit of learning information from peers and having 24/7 access to a community of individuals with similar daily life struggles, where they are able to ask questions and seek advice.

Electronic Health Behaviors Among US Adults With Chronic Disease: Cross-Sectional Survey.

BackgroundWith increased access to technology and the internet, there are many opportunities for utilizing electronic health (eHealth), internet, or technology-delivered health services and information for the prevention and management of chronic diseases.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper was to explore (1) the differences in technology use, (2) Web-based health information seeking and use behaviors, (3) attitudes toward seeking health information on the Web, and (4) the level of eHealth literacy between adults aged 18 and 64 years with and without chronic disease.MethodsA cross-sectional internet survey was conducted in March 2017 with 401 US adults. Participant responses were examined to understand associations between chronic disease status and eHealth behaviors such as internet health-seeking behaviors and Web-based behaviors related to health, tracking health indicators with a mobile app, patient portal use, and preferences for health information.ResultsAbout 1 in 3 (252/401, 37.2%) participants reported at least 1 chronic disease diagnosis. Seventy-five percent (301/401) of all participants reported having ever searched for health information on the Web. Participants with a chronic disease reported significantly higher instances of visiting and talking to a health care provider based on health information found on the Web (40.0% [48/120] vs 25.8% [46/178], χ22=6.7; P=.01; 43.3% [52/120] vs 27.9% [50/179]; χ22=7.6; P=.006). The uses of health information found on the Web also significantly differed between participants with and without chronic diseases in affecting a decision about how to treat an illness or condition (49.2% [59/120] vs 35.0% [63/180], χ23=6.7; P=.04), changing the way they cope with a chronic condition or manage pain (40.8% [49/120] vs 19.4% [35/180], χ22=16.3; P<.001), and leading them to ask a doctor new questions or get a second opinion (37.5% [45/120] vs 19.6% [35/179], χ22=11.8; P<.001). Chronic disease participants were significantly more likely to be tracking health indicators (43.9% [65/148] vs 28.3%, [71/251] χ22=10.4; P=.006). In addition, participants with chronic disease diagnosis reported significantly higher rates of patient portal access (55.0% [82/149] vs 42.1% [106/252], χ22=6.3; P=.01) and use (40.9% [61/149] vs 21.0% [53/252], χ22=18.2; P<.001). Finally, both groups reported similar perceived skills in using the internet for health information on the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). The majority of participants responded positively when asked about the usefulness of health information and importance of accessing health resources on the Web.ConclusionsThe high rates of reported information seeking and use of internet-based health technology among participants with chronic disease may reflect the uptake in eHealth to help manage chronic disease conditions. Health care providers and educators should continue to seek ways to interact and support patients in their management of chronic disease through eHealth platforms, including capitalizing on Web-based resources, patient portals, and mobile phone apps for disease education and monitoring.

Self-Esteem, Social Comparison, and Facebook Use.

Facebook use is very popular among young people, but many open issues remain regarding the individual traits that are antecedents of different behaviours enacted online. This study aimed to investigate whether the relationship between self-esteem and the amount of time on Facebook could be mediated by a tendency towards social comparison. Moreover, three different modalities of Facebook use were distinguished, i.e., social interaction, simulation, and search for relations. Because of gender differences in technology use and social comparison, the mediation models were tested separately for males and females. Data were collected by means of a self-report questionnaire with a sample of 250 undergraduate and graduate Italian students (mean age: 22.18 years). The relations were examined empirically by means of four structural equation models. The results revealed the role of orientation to social comparison in mediating the relations between low self-esteem and some indicators of Facebook use, i.e., daily hours on Facebook and the use of Facebook for simulation. For females, the use of Facebook for social interaction was directly influenced by high self-esteem and indirectly influenced by low self-esteem. Globally, the dimension of social comparison on Facebook emerged as more important for females than for males.

Weight Loss Strategies Used by Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets: Implication for Student Health and Wellness Services.

Background: Maintaining a healthy weight is a military requirement for the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. Male and female soldiers often have different approaches to maintaining a healthy weight and mobile health (m-health) tools can be harnessed and tailored to the needs of individual cadets. Objectives: This study examined gender differences in technology use, weight loss strategies, information needed to maintain a healthy weight, and willingness to participate in m-health research and programs. Materials and Methods: A self-administered survey was completed by 404 cadets from ROTC programs in Florida in 2017. Results: Most owned smartphones and used them as their primary internet access. Women had significantly lower body mass index than men (p = 0.037). Most used healthy weight loss strategies, including increasing physical activity, reducing sweets, and reducing fried foods. Women were more likely than men to reduce fried foods (p < 0.0003) and sweets (p = 0.020). Most reported a willingness to participate in m-health weight management research and programs, with women more willing to do so (p = 0.038). Most were willing to participate in m-health programs that used text messages, food/activity/sleep apps, smart watches/fitness trackers, and stress management/anxiety apps. Women were more willing to participate in programs that used apps for stress/anxiety management (p = 0.004) and to track food/activity/sleep (p < 0.0001). Most needed information on eating healthy on a budget and eating healthy on-the-run. Conclusions: Opportunities exist for college health and wellness professionals to use a variety of m-health tools and apps to promote general health and wellness and to help cadets achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Factors influencing technology use by Mayan women in the digital age

We explore gender differences in technology use among Mayan-speakers in a rural community in southern Yucatan (Mexico), finding that women had poorer skills and less access to technology than men. Following a diagnosis, information and communication technology (ICT) skills training aimed at closing the digital divide was provided to 68 men and women, with post-test results indicating that while women improved their ICT skills, they continued to score lower than men. Focus group interviews with 24 women identified the main factors perceived to influence their access to and use of technology. Observations and further interviews with 10 of the focus group participants further explored issues related to women’s access to and use of technology. Quantitative data were analyzed using inferential statistics and qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Recommendations for improving the ICT skills of both men and women are discussed in the context of the Mexican National Development Plan 2013–2018 and the Mexican National Digital Strategy 2013 and are compared with the guidelines of the Yucatan State Development Plan 2012–2018.

Mobile shopping apps adoption and perceived risks: A cross-country perspective utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

Consumer adoption of mobile shopping apps is an emerging area in m-commerce which poses an interesting challenge for retailers and app developers. In this study, we adapt the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) to investigate factors predicting consumer behavioral intention (BI) and use behavior (UB) towards mobile shopping apps, considering the impact of two manifestations of consumer's perceived risk: Privacy Risk and Security Risk. Because cultural characteristics may moderate the impact of these risks on behavioral intention and use behavior, we conduct two studies from two consumer panels from countries with significant difference in technology use as captured by the Computer-Based Media Support Index (CMSI), namely India (high CMSI) and USA (low CMSI). For both countries, the baseline UTAUT 2 constructs predict the Behavioral Intention to use mobile shopping apps (and subsequently use behavior). However, the manifestations of perceived risk are significant only for the country with the highest CMSI score, suggesting that cultural influences play a strong role in the adoption of m-shopping. Our study has practical implications for theory as it poses the use of m-shopping apps in a cross-cultural context, suggesting that privacy and security moderate intention to use differently across cultures as predicted by the CMSI. From that perspective, it also has practical implications for consumer behavior researchers and app developers challenged with app localization as well as retailers designing mobile shopping apps for an intercultural audience.

Poly-Victimization and Peer Harassment Involvement in a Technological World.

This article explores the ways poly-victimized youth (those experiencing multiple different types of victimization over the course of 1 year) use technology to interact with peers. Particular attention is given to the peer harassment victimization and perpetration experiences of poly-victimized youth compared with less victimized and non-victimized youth-both overall and through technology. Data were collected as part of the Technology Harassment Victimization (THV) study; a national survey of 791 youth, ages 10 to 20 across the United States. Study results document the heightened risks that poly-victimized youth experience when interacting with peers. Low and high poly-victimized youth were both at significantly greater risk of being dual victims and perpetrators of peer harassment when compared with non-victimized youth even after taking into account other potentially explanatory factors. This was not found to be the case for less victimized youth. This was true for high poly-victims and technology-involved harassment risk as well. There were indications that poly-victimized youth were interacting with peers in more intense and risky ways in general using new technology. The increase in attention to poly-victimization in recent years has importantly identified the detrimental role that experiencing different forms of victimization have on youth. This study not only adds to that literature but suggests that there is an opportunity to interrupt additional victimization by understanding how poly-victimized youth interact with peers before and during adolescence. Although preliminary, the differences in technology use by poly-victimized youth versus others suggest that more information is needed to understand how they are relating to peers in both positive and risky ways in this environment.

Ownership and Attitudes towards Technology Use in Physiotherapy Students from Seven Countries

PurposeTo assess differences in prerequisites to blended learning such as technology use and Internet access in an international sample of physiotherapy students from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Luxembourg, Sudan, Switzerland and South Africa. ResultsStudents' digital technology experiences were generally low. They primarily used a smartphone and a laptop to connect to the Internet. However, there was a significant difference between institutions in owning a laptop and access to Internet. Most students preferred learning in environments that included some online components but had never used Twitter or written a blog post and wanted less social media in their learning environments. ConclusionPhysiotherapy students would prefer an increase in the use of digital tools in their learning. However, differences in technology use and access highlight the challenges inherent to offering international online courses. Therefore decisions around online and blended course design in health professions education must be made with caution.