Cresci M Kay, Yarandi Hossein N, Morrell Roger W
Institute of Gerontology, College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Comput Inform Nurs. 2010 Mar-Apr;28(2):88-94. doi: 10.1097/NCN.0b013e3181cd8184.
Computers and the Internet offer older adults opportunities and resources for independent living. However, many urban older adults do not use computers. This study examined the demographic, health, and social activities of urban older adults to determine variables that might predict the use and nonuse of computers in this population. A secondary data analysis was performed using the 2001 Detroit City-Wide Needs Assessment of Older Adults (n = 1410) data set. Logistic regression was used to explore potential differences in predictor variables between computer users and nonusers. Overall, computer users were younger (27%), had a higher level of education, were more likely to be employed, had an annual income greater than $20,000, and were healthier and more active than nonusers. They also were more likely to have memberships in community organizations and do volunteer work. Preferred computer activities included conducting Internet searches, playing games, writing, and communicating with family members and friends. The results suggest significant differences in demographic and health-related characteristics between computer users and nonusers among urban older adults. Although about a quarter of participants in this study used computers, the Digital Divide continues to exist in urban settings for scores of others.
计算机和互联网为老年人提供了独立生活的机会和资源。然而，许多城市老年人并不使用计算机。本研究调查了城市老年人的人口统计学特征、健康状况和社会活动，以确定可能预测该人群使用或不使用计算机的变量。使用2001底特律全市老年人需求评估数据集（n = 1410）进行了二次数据分析。采用逻辑回归来探究计算机使用者和非使用者在预测变量方面的潜在差异。总体而言，计算机使用者更年轻（27%），受教育程度更高，更有可能就业，年收入超过2万美元，并且比非使用者更健康、更活跃。他们也更有可能成为社区组织的成员并从事志愿工作。偏好的计算机活动包括进行互联网搜索、玩游戏、写作以及与家人和朋友交流。结果表明，城市老年人中计算机使用者和非使用者在人口统计学和健康相关特征方面存在显著差异。尽管本研究中约四分之一的参与者使用计算机，但在城市环境中，数字鸿沟对其他许多人来说仍然存在。
