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Technological or social? Influencing factors and mechanisms of the psychological digital divide in rural Chinese elderly

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  • Wang, Weihua
  • Zhang, Yuting
  • Zhao, Junjie

Abstract

The psychological digital divide (PDD) significantly impacts participation and may hinder the development of smart rural communities. This study aimed to address the issue by conducting a questionnaire survey of 394 elderly individuals from rural China, revealing the essential characteristics and core mechanisms of PDD based on the relative deprivation theory (RDT). The study also focused on a moderation test of cognitive age to validate its critical role in the formation of PDD among rural elderly individuals. The final results confirmed the stability of the PDD induction model and highlighted that the information systems (IS) continuance intention of the elderly can be affected by both technological and social environments, through relative digital deprivation. Specifically, social exclusion and technology anxiety were identified as key drivers of PDD, with technology anxiety having a stronger impact. Furthermore, the cognitive age of elderly individuals intensifies the negative influence of relative digital deprivation on IS continuance intention, while also strengthening the relationship between social exclusion and relative digital deprivation. These findings not only shed light on the nature of PDD but also provide a theoretical framework for understanding the transition from social to digital exclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Weihua & Zhang, Yuting & Zhao, Junjie, 2023. "Technological or social? Influencing factors and mechanisms of the psychological digital divide in rural Chinese elderly," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:74:y:2023:i:c:s0160791x23001124
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102307
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    2. Limin Zhao & Xu Ma & Shi Jiao & Chengming Hu, 2025. "How WeChat groups enhance political trust in rural China: evidence from the China Rural Revitalization Survey," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Wang, Liuhong & Ba, Zhichao & Wang, Yuefen, 2025. "How does adoption behavior towards ICT policies affect digital divides? Evidence from Chinese prefecture-level cities," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Yang, Xiaoyu & Gao, Yuan & Paavo, Pelkonen & Qu, Mei, 2025. "Digital “push and pull”: Mechanisms of rural energy poverty alleviation in China's rural areas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    5. Feng, Wei & Yuan, Hang, 2025. "The impact of international technology spillovers on digital inequality in China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Choi, Yunwoo & Han, Sangpil & Lee, Changjun, 2024. "Exploring drivers of fintech adoption among elderly consumers," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    7. Yanglin Li & Yuezheng Yang & Shuyao Shi & Bin Wang & Guangquan Chen, 2024. "Seniors’ Knowledge-Based Digital Marginalization in the Era of Information Technology Advancements," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 12622-12650, September.
    8. Aly, Heba & Liu, Yizhou & Khan, Sushmita & Anaraky, Reza Ghaiumy & Byrne, Kaileigh & Knijnenburg, Bart, 2025. "Digital privacy education: Customized interventions for U.S. older and younger adults in rural and urban settings," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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