Technology and loneliness in old age
R. Kaspar
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AbstractThe ability to use complex technology has become a key competence for independent and successful living. Elderly people, as is often assumed, might lose out in the trend towards odernization because they are less likely to have technological know-how. Against this general background, this paper aims to link new technology with loneliness in advanced age. Although lack of social contact and social support are hypothesized to be essential influences on loneliness, this study seeks to enrich the psychological understanding of loneliness by introducing a new flow of arguments including technology issues as follows: First, two key elements of technological competence, i.e., experience with and acceptance of technology, are assumed to positively influence one‘s perception of ‘being in control’. Going further, they may also prevent older adults from feeling obsolete or marginal in an increasingly hi-tech world. Second, individual dispositions such as control beliefs or perceived obsolescence may contribute to the interpretation of and response to deficits in social relationships and thus mediate technology effects on the experience of loneliness in old age. Supporting empirical evidence for this conceptual avenue is presented.Keywords: technology; loneliness; obsolescence; control beliefs; social relations
R. Kaspar (2004). Technology and loneliness in old age. Gerontechnology, 3(1), 42-48
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2004.03.01.007.00