Computer utilization in later-life: Characteristics and relationship to personal well-being
E Bilt-Cohen, H Litwin
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AbstractThe study examined 200 functionally independent members of senior citizen centers in Israel in the year 2000. Half of the stratified respondent sample was actively involved with computers and half was not. A structured questionnaire queried respondents' background characteristics, a measure of personal well-being and several characteristics of computer utilization, including extent and the types of computer applications pursued. Computer users were found to be younger and more frequently men. Moreover, users reported a greater sense of personal satisfaction and held fewer negative stereotypes about old age. Examination of the types of computer use indicated that the most frequent utilizations were off-line. Factor analysis further revealed two main patterns of utilization, identified as 'utilitarian' and 'pleasure-oriented'. Men made greater utilitarian use of the computer than women. The findings suggest that promotion of computer utilization in later-life is possible, but that many of the older computer users still do not engage in the full potential of the medium.Keywords: computers; utilization patterns; well-being; senior centers; Israel
E Bilt-Cohen, H Litwin (2005). Computer utilization in later-life: Characteristics and relationship to personal well-being. Gerontechnology, 3(3), 138-148
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2005.03.03.003.00