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Intergenerational Effects on the Impacts of Technology Use in Later Life: Insights from an International, Multi-Site Study

Author

Listed:
  • Shannon Freeman

    (School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada)

  • Hannah R. Marston

    (Health and Wellbeing Strategic Research Area, School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK)

  • Janna Olynick

    (School of Nursing and Department of Psychology, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada)

  • Charles Musselwhite

    (Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK)

  • Cory Kulczycki

    (Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • Rebecca Genoe

    (Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • Beibei Xiong

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada)

Abstract

As the use of technology becomes further integrated into the daily lives of all persons, including older adults, it is important to investigate how the perceptions and use of technology intersect with intergenerational relationships. Based on the international multi-centered study Technology In Later Life (TILL), this paper emphasizes the perceptions of older adults and the interconnection between technology and intergenerational relationships are integral to social connectedness with others. Participants from rural and urban sites in Canada and the UK ( n = 37) completed an online survey and attended a focus group. Descriptive and thematic analyses suggest that older adults are not technologically adverse and leverage intergenerational relationships with family and friends to adjust to new technologies and to remain connected to adult children and grandchildren, especially when there is high geographic separation between them. Participants referenced younger family members as having introduced them to, and having taught them how to use, technologies such as digital devices, computers, and social networking sites. The intergenerational support in the adoption of new technologies has important implications for helping older persons to remain independent and to age in place, in both age-friendly cities and in rural communities. The findings contribute to the growing literature in the fields of gerontology and gerontechnology on intergenerational influences and the impacts of technology use in later life and suggest the flexibility and willingness of older persons to adopt to new technologies as well as the value of intergenerational relationships for overcoming barriers to technology adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Shannon Freeman & Hannah R. Marston & Janna Olynick & Charles Musselwhite & Cory Kulczycki & Rebecca Genoe & Beibei Xiong, 2020. "Intergenerational Effects on the Impacts of Technology Use in Later Life: Insights from an International, Multi-Site Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5711-:d:395902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hannah R. Marston & Joost van Hoof, 2019. "“Who Doesn’t Think about Technology When Designing Urban Environments for Older People?” A Case Study Approach to a Proposed Extension of the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-35, September.
    2. Hannah R. Marston, 2019. "Millennials and ICT—Findings from the Technology 4 Young Adults (T4YA) Project: An Exploratory Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-22, November.
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    1. Joost van Hoof & Hannah R. Marston, 2021. "Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: State of the Art and Future Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Carmen Llorente-Barroso & María Sánchez-Valle & Mónica Viñarás-Abad, 2023. "The role of the Internet in later life autonomy: Silver surfers in Spain," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Melanie Davern & Rachel Winterton & Kathleen Brasher & Geoff Woolcock, 2020. "How Can the Lived Environment Support Healthy Ageing? A Spatial Indicators Framework for the Assessment of Age-Friendly Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-20, October.
    4. Sónia Rolland Sobral & Margarida Sobral, 2021. "Computer Education and Third Age Universities: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Carmen Llorente-Barroso & Olga Kolotouchkina & Luis Mañas-Viniegra, 2021. "The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Jikun Huang & Lanlan Su & Qiwang Huang & Xinyu Liu, 2022. "Facilitating inclusive ICT application and e‐Commerce development in rural China," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 53(6), pages 938-952, November.
    7. Mary Chidiac & Christopher Ross & Hannah R. Marston & Shannon Freeman, 2022. "Age and Gender Perspectives on Social Media and Technology Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    8. Wang, Xize, 2022. "Impact of Health on Driving for America's Older Adults: A Nationwide, Longitudinal Study," SocArXiv h5scf, Center for Open Science.
    9. Alejandro Canedo-García & Jesús-Nicasio García-Sánchez & Deilis-Ivonne Pacheco-Sanz, 2021. "Benefits, Satisfaction and Limitations Derived from the Performance of Intergenerational Virtual Activities: Data from a General Population Spanish Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-16, December.

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