Technology-based Communication Research Articles

Abstract 808: iCCaRE engagement of faith-based organizations to co-create and co-disseminate infographics addressing disparities in prostate cancer literacy and clinical and biospecimen studies

Abstract Black men hold the highest prostate cancer burden among all ethnicities; thus, there is an urgent need for research to inform the development and implementation of a culturally tailored intervention to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. In response, the Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) Consortium was created to advance health equity and reduce disparities in prostate cancer. Addressing the unique needs of Black men require a genuine bidirectional relationship between scientist and the community. In the Black community, faith-based organizations are respected institutions advocating for health equity and justice. Given their vital role as community health gatekeepers, the iCCaRE Consortium partners with faith-based organizations. Rooted in community engaged research (CER), we conducted an environmental scan through stakeholder meetings to discuss the prevailing challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of the Black community along the prostate cancer care continuum. iCCaRE investigators including Partnership Engagement Services (PES) core partnered with faith-based organizations to ensure and advance community responsive cancer prevention. Together, with our faith-based leaders (N=18), we identified gaps including issues associated with the care continuum from screening to diagnosis and from treatment to survivorship; disparities according to health coverage and social determinants of health, and best practices to assist patients including care coordination, patient navigation, digital innovations, and programs offered by patient advocacy organizations. In response to the needs of the community and the strengths of faith-based organization, we prioritized our initial focus on increasing community prostate cancer literacy and activation using co-design educational infographics for both traditional and technology-based communication platforms. The infographics provided evidence-based facts about prostate cancer burden in the Black community; and using a call to action approach, we emphasized the importance of taking action for life saving screening, prevention and healthy lifestyle. Taking action in prostate cancer symptom recognition, survivorship care, and quality care. Also, co-designed infographics were created for clinical studies and biospecimen awareness and participation and the importance of advocacy and equitable care. Another component incorporated face to face trainings and presentations to enhance their knowledge of cancer screening tools, epidemiology of prostate cancer, and pathways to care. This presentation highlighted the first step towards community based intervention development, implementation and dissemination towards equity and justice for prostate cancer prevention and patient/survivor improvements for Black men. Citation Format: James C. Morrison, Kimlin T. Ashing, Gaole Song, Timethia J. Bonner, Che Ngufor, Getachew Dagne, Arnold Merriweather, John McCall, Ewan Cobran, Cassandra N. Moore, Fornati Bedell, Rotimi Oladapo, Floyd B. Willis, Runcie Chidebe Chidebe, Noreen A. Stephenson, JoAnne S. Oliver, Vinessa Gordon, Folakemi Odedina. iCCaRE engagement of faith-based organizations to co-create and co-disseminate infographics addressing disparities in prostate cancer literacy and clinical and biospecimen studies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 808.

A Meta-analysis: The Association Between Increased Use of Communicative Technology and Parental Involvement and the Relationship with Academic Achievement

This article shares the results of a meta-analysis on the association between parent-teacher interaction using technology-based communication and parental-involvement, and its association with the academic and behavioral outcomes of urban students. This meta-analysis includes 31 quantitative studies and well over 20,000 students. The results indicated that statistically significant effects did not emerge, except to some degree at the elementary school level. The significance of these results is discussed.

Generation WhatsApp: inter-brain synchrony during face-to-face and texting communication

Texting has become one of the most prevalent ways to interact socially, particularly among youth; however, the effects of text messaging on social brain functioning are unknown. Guided by the biobehavioral synchrony frame, this pre-registered study utilized hyperscanning EEG to evaluate interbrain synchrony during face-to-face versus texting interactions. Participants included 65 mother-adolescent dyads observed during face-to-face conversation compared to texting from different rooms. Results indicate that both face-to-face and texting communication elicit significant neural synchrony compared to surrogate data, demonstrating for the first time brain-to-brain synchrony during texting. Direct comparison between the two interactions highlighted 8 fronto-temporal interbrain links that were significantly stronger in the face-to-face interaction compared to texting. Our findings suggest that partners co-create a fronto-temporal network of inter-brain connections during live social exchanges. The degree of improvement in the partners' right-frontal-right-frontal connectivity from texting to the live social interaction correlated with greater behavioral synchrony, suggesting that this well-researched neural connection may be specific to face-to-face communication. Our findings suggest that while technology-based communication allows humans to synchronize from afar, face-to-face interactions remain the superior mode of communication for interpersonal connection. We conclude by discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of the pervasive use of texting, particularly among youth.

Examining employee experiences of hybrid work: an ecological approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the various forms of organizational and team-level actions that were perceived to be helpful or not helpful by employees as they navigate the hybrid work arrangements and how these had an impact on their work behaviors and experiences. This research utilized Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory as framework.Design/methodology/approachThe exploratory study used a qualitative approach in gathering data via online survey from a total of 45 Filipino employees working in a hybrid work arrangement for at least three months. The analysis utilized both inductive and deductive methodologies in examining the data. Inductive thematic analysis was used in coding the data based on the participants' responses, while the deductive approach ensured that the themes are aligned with the research questions and reflect the different systems within Bronfenbrenner's EST (1986).FindingsResults surfaced helpful organizational (e.g. provision of work tools, financial assistance, supportive policies and engagement and wellness initiatives) and team level actions (i.e. use of technology-based communication tools, open virtual door policy, effective performance management system, employee care practices and team engagement activities). Actions that were perceived as not helpful include inadequate technological infrastructure, poor communication, insufficient training, punitive policies/practices and leadership issues at the organizational level as well as unresponsive colleagues and ineffective implementation of policies/processes at the level of teams. Employees reported being able to build on savings, becoming more productive and having greater work–life balance amid hybrid work. However, they continue to be challenged by blurred boundaries and inability to disconnect from work similar to when work was done remotely and now with sustaining momentum given the shifts on where they do their work.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study may guide programs and initiatives of human resource management practitioners and organizational leaders as they support employees in navigating through hybrid work.Originality/valueThe research expands extant knowledge on practices and experiences in hybrid work (Gifford, 2022). It also contributes to studies on human resource management that are nuanced based on where work is performed (Ng and Stanton, 2023) or with emerging work arrangements.

Technology-based interactive communication simulation for Korean nurses: A randomized controlled repeated-measures design

BackgroundEffective and standardized technology-based communication simulations addressing diverse clinical situations for novice nurses are limited. ObjectivesThis study evaluated the efficacy of the Technology-based Interactive Communication Simulation for Nurses on communication competency (knowledge, self-efficacy, skills, and clarity), compassion, and assertiveness among novice nurses. DesignWe used a randomized controlled repeated-measures design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention (Technology-based Interactive Communication Simulation for Nurses) or attention control group and completed the assigned program, the questionnaire thrice (i.e., before, immediately after, and four weeks after the program), and the e-simulation twice (i.e., immediately after and four weeks after the program). Settings and participantsKorean nurses with six months to two years of experience recruited from five secondary and tertiary hospitals participated in the study at a private, quiet place of their choice. MethodsThe intervention comprises two simulation cases across different formats: (1) an interactive communication simulation for various clinical situations followed by a tailored debriefing; and (2) a video showing a conflict between a nurse and caregiver and between nurses, followed by a self-reflection activity. Communication skills and clarity were also evaluated by raters. Data analyses included descriptive analyses, t-tests, chi-square tests, and a generalized estimating equation model. ResultsIn total, 142 nurses (73 in the intervention and 69 in the attention control groups) participated in the programs, and 128 participated through the four-week follow-up. Technology-based Interactive Communication Simulation for Nurses significantly improved communication knowledge and self-efficacy and compassion among novice nurses compared to the attention control program, and its effects were maintained for four weeks. The group difference in communication skills and clarity evaluated by the raters was also significant. ConclusionTechnology-based Interactive Communication Simulation for Nurses is effective in enhancing the communication competence of novice nurses. Future studies should analyze assertiveness in Korean healthcare settings.

Analysis of Smartphone Text Data Related to mpox from a U.S. Sample of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the 2022 Outbreak.

Purpose: We sought to understand technology-based communication regarding mpox (monkeypox) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) during the global outbreak in 2022. Methods: Forty-four GBMSM (Mage = 25.3 years, 68.2% cisgender, 43.2% non-White) living in the United States participated. From May 2022 to August 2022, all text data related to mpox (174 instances) were downloaded from the smartphones of GBMSM. Text data and smartphone app usage were analyzed. Results: Content analysis revealed 10 text-based themes and 7 app categories. GBMSM primarily used search and browser, texting, and gay dating apps to share vaccine updates, seek mpox vaccination, find general mpox information, share mpox information with other GBMSM, and discuss links between mpox and gay culture. Data visualizations revealed that changes in communication themes and app usage were responsive to major milestones in the mpox outbreak. Conclusion: GBMSM used apps to facilitate a community-driven mpox response.

Pandemic Related Changes in Technology Use Among a Sample of Previously Hospitalized Older Adult New Yorkers: An Observational Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the importance of technology for all Americans, including older adults. Although a few studies have indicated that older adults might have increased their technology use during the COVID-19 pandemic, further research is needed to confirm these findings, especially among different populations, and using validated surveys. In particular, research on changes in technology use among previously hospitalized community-dwelling older adults, especially those with physical disability, is needed because older adults with multimorbidity and hospital associated deconditioning were a population greatly impacted by COVID-19 and related distancing measures. Obtaining knowledge regarding previously hospitalized older adults' technology use, before and during the pandemic, could inform the appropriateness of technology-based interventions for vulnerable older adults. In this paper, we 1) described changes in older adult technology-based communication, technology-based phone use, and technology-based gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic and 2) tested whether technology use moderated the association between changes in in-person visits and well-being, controlling for covariates. Between December 2020 and January 2021 we conducted a telephone-based objective survey with 60 previously hospitalized older New Yorkers with physical disability. We measured technology-based communication through three questions pulled from the National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 Questionnaire. We measured technology-based smart phone use and technology-based video gaming through the Media Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale. We used paired t tests and interaction models to analyze survey data. This sample of previously hospitalized older adults with physical disability consisted of 60 participants, 63.3% of whom identified as female, 50.0% of whom identified as White, and 63.8% of whom reported an annual income of $25,000 or less. This sample had not had physical contact (such as friendly hug or kiss) for a median of 60 days and had not left their home for a median of 2 days. The majority of older adults from this study reported using the internet, owning smart phones, and nearly half learned a new technology during the pandemic. During the pandemic, this sample of older adults significantly increased their technology-based communication (mean difference=.74, P=.003), smart phone use (mean difference=2.9, P=.016), and technology-based gaming (mean difference=.52, P=.030). However, this technology use during the pandemic did not moderate the association between changes in in-person visits and well-being, controlling for covariates. These study findings suggest that previously hospitalized older adults with physical disability are open to using or learning technology, but that technology use might not be able to replace in-person social interactions. Future research might explore the specific components of in-person visits that are missing in virtual interactions, and if they could be replicated in the virtual environment, or through other means.

School Nurse Perspectives on Collaboration With Primary Care Providers.

School nurses are rarely integrated into primary care teams to their full potential. We aimed to characterize school nurses' perceptions related to current and optimal collaboration with primary care providers (PCPs) and identify actionable solutions to improve efficiency, quality, and coordination of pediatric care. We conducted and qualitatively analyzed interviews with school nurses to characterize structures, processes, and perceived benefits of optimized school nurse-PCP collaboration. School nurse interviewees (n=23) identified factors important to school nurse-PCP collaboration within 2 domains: information sharing and relationship building. Information sharing themes included health information sharing laws, data sharing systems, and technology-based communication systems. Relationship building themes included health care sector understanding of the school nurse role, PCP knowledge of school health requirements, shared professional development opportunities, and time and personnel. Perceived benefits of optimized PCP-school nurse collaboration were identified for children, PCPs, school nurses, and parents. Needs assessments and action plans guided by the domains of information sharing and relationship building can inform local improvements to optimize school nurse-PCP collaboration. School nurses highlighted cross-sector solutions to enhance school nurse-PCP collaboration including integrated information sharing systems and intentional relationship building.

Paillier Cryptography Based Message Authentication Code for IoMT Security

Health care visualization through Internet of Things (IoT) over wireless sensor network (WSN) becomes a current research attention due to medical sensor evolution of devices. The digital technology-based communication system is widely used in all application. Internet of medical thing (IoMT) assisted healthcare application ensures the continuous health monitoring of a patient and provides the early awareness of the one who is suffered without human participation. These smart medical devices may consume with limited resources and also the data generated by these devices are large in size. These IoMT based applications suffer from the issues such as security, anonymity, privacy, and interoperability. To overcome these issues, data aggregation methods are the solution that can concatenate the data generated by the sensors and forward it into the base station through fog node with efficient encryption and decryption. This article proposed a well-organized data aggregation and secured transmission approach. The data generated by the sensor are collected and compressed. Aggregator nodes (AN) received the compressed data and concatenate it. The concatenated and encrypted data is forward to fog node using the enhanced Paillier cryptography-based encryption with Message Authentication code (MAC). Fog node extracts the forwarded data from AN using Fog message extractor method (FME) with decryption. The proposed system ensures data integrity, security and also protects from security threats. This proposed model is simulated in Network Simulator 2.35 and the evaluated simulation results proves that the aggregation with MAC code will ensures the security, privacy and also reduces the communication cost. Fog node usages in between Aggregator and base station, will reduce the cloud server/base station computational overhead and storage cost. The proposed ideology is compared with existing data aggregation schemes in terms of computational cost, storage cost, communication cost and energy cost. Cost of communication takes 18.7 ms which is much lesser than existing schemes.

Changing of Parental Communication Mode in Building Children Motivation Career

Change does not always have a negative impact on the living system, there are positive values ??that can always be learned from a change. In social communication, for example, individuals and groups have a stake in making choices about communication methods. This paper specifically describes how changes in parental communication modes in building children's career motivation. In this paper, the method used is a qualitative descriptive method where the technique is a literature study data collection technique, namely looking for relevant literature on online news pages on the internet. Content analysis is used by reading and interpreting data to describe how changes in parental communication modes with children affect children's career motivation. The findings in this paper show that changes in technology-based communication modes in building motivation provide space for children to represent their desires in the career field. In addition, parents in this case also provide positive feedback on children's choices, so as to create healthy relationships that can make children feel accepted and heard within the family and community

Technology-based communication among Hurricane Maria survivors in the United States: a trans-territorial lens.

Rooted in a trans-territorial framework, the present study was designed to provide new evidence regarding the patterns of communication among Hurricane Maria survivors who migrated to the U.S. in the aftermath of the storm. A total of 319 Hurricane Maria survivor adults ages 18 and older were recruited into the Adelante Boricua study between August 2020 and October 2021. Most participants had relocated to the U.S. between 2017 and 2018. We used latent profile analysis and multinomial regression to examine the relationship of technology-based communication with depressive symptoms, well-being, cultural connection, and migration stress. We identified a five-class solution, consisting of (1) moderate communication (32%), (2) disengaged (24%), (3) no social media (18%), (4) daily with family in Puerto Rico (6%), and (5) daily trans-territorial (13%) typologies. Participants in the disengaged class were more likely to report elevated depressive symptoms and limited English proficiency, lower prosocial behaviors, lower levels of religiosity, lower attendance at religious services in the U.S., and less engagement in social activities, compared to participants in the Moderate Communication class. Roughly one in four individuals in our sample reported very limited technology-based communication with friends/family in their sending and new-receiving communities. As technology and smartphones continue to become integrated into 21st-century life, it is vital that researchers explore how the tremendous potential for connectedness relates to trans-territorial crisis migrants' well-being and adaptation.

BULI SIBER: ANALISIS UNDANG-UNDANG DI MALAYSIA

Technological advancements have embedded computers and social networks into the lives of the community. Although such advancements have contributed positively to the nation’s development, technology has become a medium for bullying in the new millennium, known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be defined as using technology-based communication with the intention to psychologically harass others repeatedly that could downgrade the image and identity of the bullying victim. Such actions include hateful words, broadcast of private information without permission and many others, and it gives negative impact to the victims. Not only cyberbullying could cause the victims to lose their self-identity, it could also be suicidal. Even though there is increase in cyberbullying cases as reported by UNICEF and IPSOS in which cyberbullying cases result in severe negative consequences, todate, there is no specific law in Malaysia that regulates cyberbullying. Therefore, this article aims to analyse the existing laws relating to cyberbullying in Malaysia. This study adopted the doctrinal legal approach of library-based research. Data was obtained obtained from analysis made on several legal provisions available in Malaysia and other related journals. This article concludes that there are existing laws related to cyberbullying, but they are contained in various laws. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to legislate a specific regulation relating to cyberbullying in order to regulate this increasingly common cyberbullying activity.

Using Social Media to Assess Expressions of Gratitude to God: Issues for Consideration

With the proliferation of technology-based communication, public expressions of gratitude to God on social media have become more pervasive. At the same time, data science approaches are increasingly being applied to social media language data to assess positive human attributes. We elucidate critical considerations in assessing public expressions of gratitude to God, including language variability and comparability, degree of authenticity, machine learning language analysis, and aggregation approaches that could affect assessment accuracy.

Exploring first-year university students' blended learning experiences during the COVID-19 through the community of inquiry model

PurposeWhile blended learning has been proved to be successful in learning outcomes, the landscape of blended learning has changed under coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Hence, the present study aims to explore first-year university students' perceptions of wholly blended learning during the pandemic, through the three constructs in the community of inquiry (CoI) instrument, namely teaching, social and cognitive presences (CPs).Design/methodology/approachSurvey data (N = 449) were collected from the 2020 Fall Cohort in Hong Kong for quantitative analysis. Reliability and validity of the CoI model is examined, followed by correlation and independent-samples t-tests.FindingsFirst-year students perceived overall low teaching, social and CPs with social presence (SP) scoring the highest. Findings also indicated that teaching presence (TP) significantly determined CP and SP; SP was a mediating variable in CoI. Students' gender and prior learning experience (online/blended) were not associated with perceptions of presences.Practical implicationsStudents today are more familiar with technology-based communication, and staying up to date in educational technology is crucial for teachers. Trainings in online teaching should be provided to teachers. Also, interactive technology should focus on improving peer interaction.Originality/valueThe proposed study is novel in that it used the CoI model among first-year students in Hong Kong during the pandemic. Findings are valuable to higher education in understanding students' perception of bended learning and in addressing issues.

Visual Semiotics: Da'wah Delivery Solutions and Self-Akhlaq Guards in The Digital Age with Personal Branding

The digital era has given birth to various roles and da’wah solutions that are able to break the boundaries of time and space which is very flowing, adjusting with the situation and the netizens’ interests by presenting contents in written, photos/pictures, videos, and audios to be uploaded on social media. Visual semiotics is a new technology-based communication method which maximizes the role of signs in form of writing, photo/picture, video, and audio that is presented in icon setting that implies linguistic message. This research use qualitative method with sociology and phenomenology approach and use analysis descriptive as the analytical technique. This research states that the utilization of visual semiotics in form of uploading content of a variety of sign visualization on social media periodically, with popularity as the outcome of personal branding, has become a da’wah solution, by delivering Islamic knowledge, moral messages, da’wah invitation, and Islamic quotes through the contents, to make oneself as a role model, which is performed periodically, dynamically, and contemporarily in order to gain the netizens’ interest so they can accept the religious teachings and to keep their morals, and not outdated by the current development in the digital era.
 Keywords: digital era; da’wah; visual semiotics; personal branding

Kumusta ka? Challenges, mental health and well-being assessment among DNSC employees during the COVID-19 pandemic

The study aimed to identify the work challenges encountered by the employees due to the pandemic, their current depression, anxiety, stress, mental well-being, and perception of the institution’s capacity to manage the current crisis and mental healthcare needs. Online surveys were utilized as a method. The results revealed that the top on the list of the work challenges encountered by most of the employees due to the pandemic was: internet connection, too many distractions at home, balancing work and personal life, general anxiety of getting infected, and technology-based communication like virtual meetings, while for teaching personnel doing modules, checking and monitoring students and conducting online classes were among their concerns. Out of 73 sample population, 64% were at normal level, 36% were at mild to extreme levels in depression subscale. About 58% were at the normal level for the anxiety subscale while 42% fell on the mild to extreme levels. For the stress subscale, 23% were mild to severe, and the rest were on a normal level. As to the wellbeing level, 22% of the samples were in the low level, 67% were in the average, and 11% were in the high level. Though most of the employees were confident towards the institution’s leaders in handling the crisis, they still felt worried about the impact of the pandemic on the institution. The employees strongly agreed on the necessity of the presence of mental health professionals in the institution and suggested conducting debriefing/processing to ease the mental and psychological burden brought by this pandemic.

Individual Dexterity and Psychological Empowering Leadership for Digital Workplace

This research aims to test a concept of individual dexterity in improving individual performance for the digital workplace. Individual dexterity is the ability of individuals to explore fingers and other senses when in contact with information technology devices (finger dexterity) and exploit the idea or ideas to complete the work independently (manual dexterity). A number of 150 respondents who work in creative industries and using information technology-based communication tools to finish their daily job involved in this research. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SmartPLS. The results show that individual dexterity is able to predict the performance of individuals who work in a digital environment. In addition, psychological empowering leadership and individual readiness to change play a role as a significant trigger to the formation of individual dexterity which then increases individual performance

How technology can improve communication and health outcomes in patients with advanced cancer: an integrative review

Patients facing an advanced cancer diagnosis require clear communication with their clinicians. Technology has been utilized in many different capacities to navigate communication in cancer care, but few authors examine the specific areas of communication from a theoretical perspective. The purpose of this literature review was to (1) identify articles focused on technology-based communication strategies to improve health outcomes in individuals with advanced cancer, and (2) using Epstein and Street's framework, identify areas in which technology-based communication has been used to improve health outcomes, and (3) identify gaps that exist in technology-based communication care in patients with advanced cancer. A systematic search was conducted which returned 446 articles. Using Epstein and Street's 2007 framework, the final sample was 39. Nine clinical trials, 29 observational studies, and 1 case study were identified. The articles were categorized into one area within Epstein and Street's areas of communication. Many of the articles examined the patient's and provider's acceptability and feasibility of technology-based methods of communication, while other articles examined their efficacy. While research studies were identified in each of the areas of communication, the majority of technology-based communication strategies were focused on the exchange of information between patients and their providers. Further research and the development of technology-based communication interventions assessed through clinical trials are needed in the areas of healing relationships and making decisions in cancer care. Additionally, the communication strategies found effective at improving health outcomes in advanced cancer should begin implementation into clinical practice, therefore reaching more patients.

HPV knowledge, screening barriers and facilitators, and sources of health information among women living with HIV: perspectives from the DC community during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundHigh-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 99% of cervical cancer cases. Despite available prevention methods through the HPV vaccine and two screening modalities, women continue to die from cervical cancer worldwide. Cervical cancer is preventable, yet affects a great number of women living with HIV (WLH). Low screening rates among WLH further exacerbate their already high risk of developing cervical cancer due to immunosuppression. This study explores WLH’s current cervical cancer knowledge, screening barriers and facilitators, and sources of health information.MethodsFocus group discussions were conducted with 39 WLH aged 21 years old or older, who resided in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Emergent themes were classified and organized into overarching domains and assembled with representative quotations.ResultsThe women had limited knowledge of HPV and the cervical cancer screening guidelines for WLH. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has amplified screening barriers due to decreased accessibility to usual medical appointment and cervical cancer screenings. Screening facilitators included knowing someone diagnosed with cervical cancer and provider recommendations. WLH indicated that they obtained health information through in-person education (providers, peer groups) and written literature. Due to the pandemic, they also had to increasingly rely on remote and technology-based communication channels such as the internet, social media, television, radio, email, and short message service (SMS) text messaging.ConclusionsFuture health interventions need to explore the possibility of sharing messages and increasing cervical cancer and HPV knowledge of WLH through the use of SMS and other technology-based channels.

The relationship between older adults’ technology use, in-person engagement, and pandemic-related mental health

Objective The objectives of this study are to 1) describe changes in in-person communication/activity and changes in older adult technology use during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2) examine whether less in-person communication/activity mediates the relationship between pandemic-related mental health and technology use. Method Linear regressions (stratified by age and financial strain) and structural equation modeling were employed using a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of 3,188 older adults from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study’s COVID-19 Questionairre. Results Older adults engaged in more technology-based activity (b = 0.24; p<.001), more technology-based health care communication (b = 0.22; p<.001), and more technology-based food acquisition (b = 0.21; p<.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared to before the pandemic. Results indicate that adults <80 years old demonstrated greater increases in technology-based activity, technology-based health communication, and technology-based food acquisition, compared to adults ≥80 years old. Change in in-person communication significantly mediated the relationship between pandemic-related mental health and technology-based communication (standardized coefficient= −0.012; p=.005), and change in in-person activity significantly mediated the relationship between pandemic-related mental health and technology-based activity (standardized coefficient= −0.017; p=.020). Conclusions This study suggests that older adults are utilizing technology more, and therefore should be considered in technology design and dissemination. Technology use could be an important positive response to help those with pandemic related worries stay safely engaged with friends and family. Technologies should be produced that are modifiable for older adults with disabilities and affordable for older adults with fixed incomes.