A review on internet use and quality of life of the elderly
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Sep 15, 2015
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Abstract
As the world population rapidly ages, improving the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly and enabling them to age actively is increasingly becoming a global policy concern. In this context, emphasis is also given to information and communication technologies (ICTs) that may play a significant part in enhancing the QOL of the elderly. This review study explores the impact of Internet use on QOL of the elderly by examining available researches in this field. By searching on ADM Digital Library, WEB Science, ERIC, PsycINFO and PubMed databases, this study reviewed 25 studies published after 1990 that investigate the relationship between Internet use and QOL of elderly. The synthesis of the research findings indicates that the functional use of computer and Internet improves QOL for older people. The findings also provide a comprehensive perspective on the current state of knowledge and raises questions for further research.
Keywords: elderly, Internet use, quality of life
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References
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Chaumon, M. B., Michel, C., Bernard, F. T., & Croisile, B. (2014). Can ICT improve the quality of life of elderly adults living in residential home care units? From actual impacts to hidden artifacts, Behaviour & Information Technology, 33(6), 574-590.
Chen, Y., & Persson, A. (2002). Internet use among young and older adults: Relation to psychological wellbeing. Educational Gerontology, 28(9), 731-744.
Dickinson, A., & Gregor, P. (2006). Computer use has no demonstrated impact on the well-being of older adults. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 64, 744-753.
Dorin, M. (2007). Online education of older adults and its relation to life satisfaction. Educational Gerontology, 33, 127-143.
Elliot, A. J., Mooney, C. J., Douthit, K. Z., & Lynch, M. F. (2013). Predictors of older adults” technology use and its relationship to depressive symptoms and well-being. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(5), 667-677.
Erickson, J., & Johnson, G. M. (2011). Internet use and psychological wellness during late adulthood. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement, 30(2), 197-209. doi: 10.1017/S0714980811000109
Fernandez-Ballesteros, R., Zammaron, M. D., & Ruiz, M. A. (2001). The contribution of socio-demographic and psychosocial factors to life satisfaction. Aging and Society, 21, 25-43.
Firth, L., & Mellor, D. (2009). Dilettantism in investigating the impact of the Internet on the wellbeing of the elderly. Quality & Quantity, 43, 185-196.
Henke, M. (1999). Promoting independence in older persons through the Internet. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 2, 521-527.
Heo, J., Kim, J., & Won, Y. S. (2011). Exploring the relationship between Internet use and leisure satisfaction among older adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 35(1), 43-54.
Heo, J., Stebbins, R. A., Kim, J., & Lee, I. (2013). Serious leisure, life satisfaction, and health of older adults. Leisure Sciences: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 35(1), 16-32.
Hribernik, J., & Mussap, A. J. (2010). Leisure satisfaction and subjective wellbeing. Annals of Leisure Research, 13(4), 701-708.
Karavidas, M., Lim, N. K., & Katsikas, S. L. (2005). The effects of computers on older adult users. Computers in Human Behavior, 21, 697-711.
Khvorostianov, N., Elias, N., & Nimrod, G. (2011). “Without it I am nothing”: The Internet in the lives of older immigrants. New Media & Society, 14(4), 583– 599.
Kim,Y. S. (2008). Reviewing and critiquing computer learning and usage among older adults. Educational Gerontology, 34, 709-735. doi: 10.1080/03601270802000576
Koopman-Boyden, P. G., & Reid, S. L. (2009). Internet/e-mail usage and well-being among 65–84 year olds in New Zealand: Policy implications. Educational Gerontology, 35, 990-1007.
Lelkes, O. (2012). Happier and less isolated: Internet use in old age. MPRA Paper No. 42546. Retrieved from: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/42546.
Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging, United Nations, New York, 2002. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org
Mellor, D., Firth, L., & Moore, K. (2008). Can the Internet improve the well-being of the elderly? Aging International, 32, 25-42.
Mollenkopf, H., & Walker, A. (2007). Quality of life in old age: Synthesis and future perspectives. In H. Mollenkopf & A. Walker (Eds.), Quality of Life in Old Age (pp. 235-248). Dordrecht: Springer.
Nimrod, G., & Adoni, H. (2006). Leisure-styles and life satisfaction among recent retirees in Israel. Aging & Society, 26, 607-630.
Nimrod, G. (2009). Seniors” online communities: A quantitative content analysis. The Gerontologist, 50(3), 382-392.
Osman, Z., Poulson, D., & Nicolle, E. C. (2005). Introducing computers and the Internet to older users: Findings from the Care OnLine project. Universal Access in the Information Society, 4, 16-23.
Penard, T., & Mayol, A. (2015). Facebook use and individual well-being: like me to make me happier! Retrieved from: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/wp/2015/201506.pdf
Phillips, J., Ajrouch, K., & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, S. (2010). Key concepts in social gerontology. London: Sage Publications.
Shapira, N., Barak, A., & Gal, I. (2007). Promoting older adults” well-being through Internet training and use. Aging & Mental Health, 11(5).
Slegers, K., Van Boxtel, M. P. J., & Jolles, J. (2008). Effects of computer training and Internet usage on the well-being and quality of life of older adults: A randomized, controlled study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 63(3), 176-184.
Smith, D. J. (2005). Senior users of the Internet: Lessons from the cybernun study. Universal Access in the Information Society, 4, 59-66.
Sum, S., Mathews, M., Hughes, I., & Campbell, A. (2008a). Internet use and loneliness in older adults. Cyberpsychology & Behavior. 11(2), 208-211.
Sum, S., Mathews, M. R., Pourghasem, M., & Hughes, I. (2008b). Internet technology and social capital: How the Internet affects seniors” social capital and wellbeing. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14, 202-220.
Thang, L. L. (2005). Experiencing leisure in later life: A study of retirees and activity in Singapore. Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology, 20, 307-318. doi: 10.1007/s10823-006-9010-6
Walker, A., & Mollenkopf, H. (2007). International and multi-disciplinary perspectives on quality of life in old age: Conceptual issues. In H. Mollenkopf & A. Walker (Eds.), Quality of Life in Old Age (pp. 3-13). Dordrecht: Springer.
Werner, J. M., Carlson, M., Jordan-Marsh, M., & Florence, C. (2011). Predictors of computer use in community-dwelling, ethnically diverse older adults. Human Factors, 53(5), 431-447.
White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Bynum, L., Teague, C., Navas, L., Craven, S., & Halbrecht, H. (1999). Surfing the net in later life: A review of the literature and pilot study of computer use and quality of life. The Journal of Applied Gerontology, 18(3), 358-378.
White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Branch, L.G., Sloane, R., Pieper, C., & Box, T. L. (2002). A randomized controlled trial of the psychosocial impact of providing Internet training and access to older adults, Aging & Mental Health, 6(3), 213-221.
WHOQOL Group (1998). The World Health Organization quality of life assesment (WHOQOL): Development and general psychometric properties. Social Science and Medicine, 46, 1569-1585.
Wright, K. (2000). Computer-mediated social support, older adults, and coping. Journal of Communication, 50, 100-118.
Xie, B. (2007). Older Chinese, the Internet, and well-being. Care Management Journals, 8(1), 33-38.
Zhang, J., & Umemuro, H. (2012). Older adults” hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in information and communication technology activities. Gerontechnology, 10(4), 231-243.
Brown, C. A. (2004). Self-esteem and life satisfaction of aged individuals with and without access to computer training. Unpublished PhD thesis, Texas A&M University, Texas. Retrieved from http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/1367/etd-tamu-2004C-2-EPSY Brown.pdf?sequence=1.
Chaumon, M. B., Michel, C., Bernard, F. T., & Croisile, B. (2014). Can ICT improve the quality of life of elderly adults living in residential home care units? From actual impacts to hidden artifacts, Behaviour & Information Technology, 33(6), 574-590.
Chen, Y., & Persson, A. (2002). Internet use among young and older adults: Relation to psychological wellbeing. Educational Gerontology, 28(9), 731-744.
Dickinson, A., & Gregor, P. (2006). Computer use has no demonstrated impact on the well-being of older adults. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 64, 744-753.
Dorin, M. (2007). Online education of older adults and its relation to life satisfaction. Educational Gerontology, 33, 127-143.
Elliot, A. J., Mooney, C. J., Douthit, K. Z., & Lynch, M. F. (2013). Predictors of older adults” technology use and its relationship to depressive symptoms and well-being. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(5), 667-677.
Erickson, J., & Johnson, G. M. (2011). Internet use and psychological wellness during late adulthood. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement, 30(2), 197-209. doi: 10.1017/S0714980811000109
Fernandez-Ballesteros, R., Zammaron, M. D., & Ruiz, M. A. (2001). The contribution of socio-demographic and psychosocial factors to life satisfaction. Aging and Society, 21, 25-43.
Firth, L., & Mellor, D. (2009). Dilettantism in investigating the impact of the Internet on the wellbeing of the elderly. Quality & Quantity, 43, 185-196.
Henke, M. (1999). Promoting independence in older persons through the Internet. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 2, 521-527.
Heo, J., Kim, J., & Won, Y. S. (2011). Exploring the relationship between Internet use and leisure satisfaction among older adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 35(1), 43-54.
Heo, J., Stebbins, R. A., Kim, J., & Lee, I. (2013). Serious leisure, life satisfaction, and health of older adults. Leisure Sciences: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 35(1), 16-32.
Hribernik, J., & Mussap, A. J. (2010). Leisure satisfaction and subjective wellbeing. Annals of Leisure Research, 13(4), 701-708.
Karavidas, M., Lim, N. K., & Katsikas, S. L. (2005). The effects of computers on older adult users. Computers in Human Behavior, 21, 697-711.
Khvorostianov, N., Elias, N., & Nimrod, G. (2011). “Without it I am nothing”: The Internet in the lives of older immigrants. New Media & Society, 14(4), 583– 599.
Kim,Y. S. (2008). Reviewing and critiquing computer learning and usage among older adults. Educational Gerontology, 34, 709-735. doi: 10.1080/03601270802000576
Koopman-Boyden, P. G., & Reid, S. L. (2009). Internet/e-mail usage and well-being among 65–84 year olds in New Zealand: Policy implications. Educational Gerontology, 35, 990-1007.
Lelkes, O. (2012). Happier and less isolated: Internet use in old age. MPRA Paper No. 42546. Retrieved from: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/42546.
Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging, United Nations, New York, 2002. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org
Mellor, D., Firth, L., & Moore, K. (2008). Can the Internet improve the well-being of the elderly? Aging International, 32, 25-42.
Mollenkopf, H., & Walker, A. (2007). Quality of life in old age: Synthesis and future perspectives. In H. Mollenkopf & A. Walker (Eds.), Quality of Life in Old Age (pp. 235-248). Dordrecht: Springer.
Nimrod, G., & Adoni, H. (2006). Leisure-styles and life satisfaction among recent retirees in Israel. Aging & Society, 26, 607-630.
Nimrod, G. (2009). Seniors” online communities: A quantitative content analysis. The Gerontologist, 50(3), 382-392.
Osman, Z., Poulson, D., & Nicolle, E. C. (2005). Introducing computers and the Internet to older users: Findings from the Care OnLine project. Universal Access in the Information Society, 4, 16-23.
Penard, T., & Mayol, A. (2015). Facebook use and individual well-being: like me to make me happier! Retrieved from: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/wp/2015/201506.pdf
Phillips, J., Ajrouch, K., & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, S. (2010). Key concepts in social gerontology. London: Sage Publications.
Shapira, N., Barak, A., & Gal, I. (2007). Promoting older adults” well-being through Internet training and use. Aging & Mental Health, 11(5).
Slegers, K., Van Boxtel, M. P. J., & Jolles, J. (2008). Effects of computer training and Internet usage on the well-being and quality of life of older adults: A randomized, controlled study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 63(3), 176-184.
Smith, D. J. (2005). Senior users of the Internet: Lessons from the cybernun study. Universal Access in the Information Society, 4, 59-66.
Sum, S., Mathews, M., Hughes, I., & Campbell, A. (2008a). Internet use and loneliness in older adults. Cyberpsychology & Behavior. 11(2), 208-211.
Sum, S., Mathews, M. R., Pourghasem, M., & Hughes, I. (2008b). Internet technology and social capital: How the Internet affects seniors” social capital and wellbeing. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14, 202-220.
Thang, L. L. (2005). Experiencing leisure in later life: A study of retirees and activity in Singapore. Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology, 20, 307-318. doi: 10.1007/s10823-006-9010-6
Walker, A., & Mollenkopf, H. (2007). International and multi-disciplinary perspectives on quality of life in old age: Conceptual issues. In H. Mollenkopf & A. Walker (Eds.), Quality of Life in Old Age (pp. 3-13). Dordrecht: Springer.
Werner, J. M., Carlson, M., Jordan-Marsh, M., & Florence, C. (2011). Predictors of computer use in community-dwelling, ethnically diverse older adults. Human Factors, 53(5), 431-447.
White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Bynum, L., Teague, C., Navas, L., Craven, S., & Halbrecht, H. (1999). Surfing the net in later life: A review of the literature and pilot study of computer use and quality of life. The Journal of Applied Gerontology, 18(3), 358-378.
White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Branch, L.G., Sloane, R., Pieper, C., & Box, T. L. (2002). A randomized controlled trial of the psychosocial impact of providing Internet training and access to older adults, Aging & Mental Health, 6(3), 213-221.
WHOQOL Group (1998). The World Health Organization quality of life assesment (WHOQOL): Development and general psychometric properties. Social Science and Medicine, 46, 1569-1585.
Wright, K. (2000). Computer-mediated social support, older adults, and coping. Journal of Communication, 50, 100-118.
Xie, B. (2007). Older Chinese, the Internet, and well-being. Care Management Journals, 8(1), 33-38.
Zhang, J., & Umemuro, H. (2012). Older adults” hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in information and communication technology activities. Gerontechnology, 10(4), 231-243.