Berkowsky Ronald W, Sharit Joseph, Czaja Sara J
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida.
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Miami, Florida.
Innov Aging. 2018 Feb 21;2(1):igy002. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igy002. eCollection 2018 Jan.
Numerous technology applications are available that have the potential to improve the quality of life (QoL) of older adults. However, older adults are less likely to adopt new and emerging technologies and reap the potential benefits. This study examines factors that influence older adults' decisions about the adoption of new technology.
Fifty-two older adults participated in a mixed-method procedure, which entailed: (1) observing presentations detailing nine differing technologies, (2) assessing the technologies using tailored questionnaires, and (3) participating in focus group discussions. Participants were assigned into one of seven groups separated by age (65-74, 75+) and language (English, Spanish). The outcome was willingness to adopt technology. Predictors included self-assessed abilities (e.g., numeric ability), computer/Internet skills and knowledge, technology readiness, age, language, and technology ratings (e.g., perceived value). Analyses included Spearman's ρ, -tests, and regression analysis. Focus group discussions were examined for supportive examples.
Self-assessed abilities and computer/Internet skills were predictive of willingness to adopt technologies although the relationship varied according to the technology examined. Technology readiness, age, and language group showed weak associations with the outcome. Of the technology ratings, perceived value, confidence in ability to learn the technology, and the perceived impact on QoL were the most robust predictors of willingness to adopt technology.
Findings indicate that various stakeholders in technology adoption among older adults must be cognizant of a technology's functionality and complexity as well as the characteristics and abilities of older adults. However, certain factors such as perceptions about the value of the technology and potential impact on QoL are also critically important to decisions regarding technology adoption among older people.
有许多技术应用有可能改善老年人的生活质量（QoL）。然而，老年人采用新兴技术并从中获取潜在益处的可能性较小。本研究考察影响老年人采用新技术决策的因素。
52名老年人参与了一项混合方法程序，该程序包括：（1）观察详细介绍九种不同技术的演示；（2）使用定制问卷评估这些技术；（3）参与焦点小组讨论。参与者被分为七个组中的一组，分组依据年龄（65 - 74岁、75岁及以上）和语言（英语、西班牙语）。结果变量是采用技术的意愿。预测因素包括自我评估能力（如数字能力）、计算机/互联网技能与知识、技术准备度、年龄、语言以及技术评分（如感知价值）。分析包括斯皮尔曼ρ检验、t检验和回归分析。对焦点小组讨论进行考察以寻找支持性例子。
自我评估能力和计算机/互联网技能可预测采用技术的意愿，不过这种关系因所考察的技术而异。技术准备度、年龄和语言组与结果变量的关联较弱。在技术评分中，感知价值、学习技术能力的信心以及对生活质量的感知影响是采用技术意愿的最有力预测因素。
研究结果表明，老年人技术采用过程中的各类利益相关者必须认识到技术的功能与复杂性以及老年人的特征和能力。然而，某些因素，如对技术价值的认知以及对老年人生活质量的潜在影响，对于老年人技术采用决策也至关重要。
