Enhancing computer self-efficacy and attitudes in multi-ethnic older adults: a randomised controlled study

Several studies have documented the health-related benefits of older adults' use of computer technology, but before they can be realised, older individuals must be positively inclined and confident in their ability to engage in computer-based environments. To facilitate the assessment of comput...

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Published inAgeing and society Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 911 - 933
Main Authors LAGANÁ, LUCIANA, OLIVER, TAYLOR, AINSWORTH, ANDREW, EDWARDS, MARC
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2011
Subjects
Aged
Attitudes
Computer training
Computers
Elderly
Electronic Technology
Empowerment
Ethnic minorities
Factor analysis
Information technology
Intervention
Older people
Recruitment
Research Subjects
Self-efficacy
Technology Attitudes
Technology products
Training
U.S.A
older ethnic minorities
computer training
computer attitudes
computer self-efficacy
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Summary:Several studies have documented the health-related benefits of older adults' use of computer technology, but before they can be realised, older individuals must be positively inclined and confident in their ability to engage in computer-based environments. To facilitate the assessment of computer technology attitudes, one aim of the longitudinal study reported in this article was to test and refine a new 22-item measure of computer technology attitudes designed specifically for older adults, as none such were available. Another aim was to replicate, on a much larger scale, the successful findings of a preliminary study that tested a computer technology training programme for older adults. Ninety-six older men and women, mainly from non-European-American backgrounds, were randomly assigned to the waitlist/control or the experimental group. The same six-week, one-on-one training was administered to the control subjects at the completion of their post-test. The revised (17-item) version of the Older Adults' Computer Technology Attitudes Scale (OACTAS) showed strong reliability: the results of a factor analysis were robust, and two analyses of covariance demonstrated that the training programme induced significant changes in attitudes and self-efficacy. Such results encourage the recruitment of older persons into training programmes aimed at increasing computer technology attitudes and self-efficacy.
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ISSN:0144-686X
1469-1779
DOI:10.1017/S0144686X10001340