Namkee G. Choi|Diana M. DiNitto
Internet Use Among Older Adults: Association With Health Needs, Psychological Capital, and Social Capital
The University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas at Austin
previous studies identified socioeconomic status health status predictors older adults computer internet use researchers examined relationships older adults health needs psychological capital emotional wellbeing selfefficacy social capital social integrationties support networks different types internet usethis study examined 1 whether older adults health conditions psychological social capital differentiate internet users nonusers 2 whether internet users differed types internet use basis health conditions psychological social capitaldata study came national health aging trends study based nationally representative sample us medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years older sample study resided community others homes n6680 binary logistic regression analysis used compare health needs psychological capital social capital among 1 type internet users nonusers 2 internet users engaged healthrelated tasks internet users 3 internet users engaged shoppingbanking tasks internet users 4 internet users used internet emailtexting internet usersdepressive anxiety symptoms measures psychological capital negatively associated internet use among older adults odds ratio 083 95 ci 070098 p03 079 95 ci 065097 p03 respectively whereas measures social capital positively associated internet use chronic medical conditions engaging formal volunteering increased odds internet use healthrelated tasks 115 95 ci 108123 p001 128 95 ci 105157 p02 respectively anxiety symptoms decreased odds 074 95 ci 055099 p05 religious service attendance negatively associated internet use shoppingbanking activities 075 95 ci 062091 p01 anxiety symptoms increased odds using internet emailstexting 175 95 ci 112275 p02 formal volunteering decreased odds 063 95 ci 043092 p02 correlates internet use solely emailstexting older age 8084 years 85 years black racialethnic background high school education less high school lower incomethe findings point importance social capital facilitating older adults learning adoption internet technology older adults used internet emailtexting purposes socially economically disadvantaged group internet users computerinternet training older adults computerinternet use various purposes need consider significant role social capital play