Older Adults Coping With the Stress Involved in the Use of Everyday Technologies

This study was conducted to examine the frequency of reported use of everyday technologies (EDT) and its associations with self-efficacy, stress appraisal, and coping strategies.

Design and Methods:
Cross-sectional data were collected from 150 participants (aged ≥65 years), measuring use of EDT by means of self-report questionnaires and a computerized simulator of an automatic teller machine (ATM), and EDT-related self-efficacy, stress appraisal, and coping strategies questionnaires.

Results:
Structured equation modeling analysis showed that EDT-related self-efficacy was related to higher use of EDT, through the mediation of EDT-related stress and coping strategies. Logistic regression showed that use of ATM simulator was predicted by self-efficacy, younger age, and female gender.

Implications:
Enhancing EDT-self efficacy is suggested to increase the use of EDT among elder adults. The use of simulators may be an efficient mean to promote EDT self-efficacy and use.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - January 4, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Yagil, D., Cohen, M., Beer, J. D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research