TY  - JOUR
AU  - Papa, Filomena
AU  - Sapio, Bartolomeo
AU  - Nicolò, Enrico
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/01/04
TI  - Acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies for Healthy and Active Aging: Results from Three Field Studies
JO  - OBM Geriatrics
SP  - 028
VL  - 03
IS  - 01
AB  - Background: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to promote healthy aging and increase the quality of life of older adults. However, several barriers like access, performance, psychological, and privacy issues still exist against fully deploying ICT solutions for older adults. To determine useful methods to overcome such barriers, this work investigated the possible factors that prevent elders from directly accepting ICT services based on three field studies. Methods: The Unified Theory of Acceptance of Use of Technology (UTAUT) was adopted as the general reference framework. Results: Performance Expectancy (perceived usefulness) and Facilitating Conditions (provided user support) seem to be the most relevant factors in all field studies. Also, the relevance of Hedonic Motivation (pleasantness of use) emerges. The role of Effort Expectancy (ease of use) seems to be affected by the user profile, which includes education level, present technology skill, and employment status. Conclusions: Overall, results confirm that the reference model variables represent the key factors to predict older adults' viewpoints toward ICT. The use of familiar devices (like TV sets) in the interaction with new technologies was determined to be a significant factor in promoting ICT acceptance by older adults. Furthermore, acceptance/rejection of ICT services depends on classical socio-demographic variables and on participants’ attitude towards technology, lifestyle changes, and the beliefs that individuals share with members of their social context.
SN  - 2638-1311
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901028
DO  - 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901028
ID  - Papa2019
ER  -