Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting · 2001 · 172 citations · 7 references
EngineeringCommunication SupportPerceived AdvantagesCommunicationE-mail UsersInteractive CommunicationSocial MediaCommunication TechnologiesCyberpsychologyCommunication StrategyDigital CommunicationTelehealthComputer-mediated CommunicationAssistive TechnologyGeriatricsCommunication StudyArtsElderly CareUser ExperienceCommunication ResearchMediated CommunicationInterpersonal CommunicationSocial ComputingLater AdulthoodOlder AdultsActive AgeingTechnologyAdvanced Communication Media
Advanced communication media can expand older adults’ social networks, yet many face barriers such as limited skills and a perceived lack of benefits. The study investigates older adults’ perceived context‑related benefits of communication methods. Forty‑eight independently living adults aged 65‑80, split into 24 e‑mail users and 24 non‑users, participated in focus‑group discussions about various communication scenarios. Participants’ comments revealed that perceived context‑related benefits strongly motivate use or non‑use of a medium, suggesting that training should also highlight specific user‑perspective benefits.
The use of advanced communication media may enhance the social networks of older adults. Although many older adults are open to new technology, there are still barriers that keep them from learning and using media such as e-mail and the Internet. Besides lacking skills, the lack of perceived advantages, or benefits, may also explain their reluctance. The goal of the present study was to investigate perceived context-related benefits of communication methods by older adults. Forty-eight independently living older adults in the age range of 65-80 years, 24 e-mail users and 24 non-users, participated in a focus group discussion of different communication scenarios. A systematic analysis of their comments and statements showed the relevance of perceived context-related benefit as a motivational factor for using or not using a medium. An implication of these results may be that training the skills to handle a new technology should also involve providing information about its specific benefits, from the user's perspective.
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Sara J. Czaja, J. Sharit · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · 1998 · 377 citations · Full text
Engineering, Ageism, Older People +18