Surfing the Net in Later Life: A Review of the Literature and Pilot Study of Computer Use and Quality of Life
Abstract
The Internet offers new opportunities for communication that can help older adults avoid social isolation. Although elders may need more time and assistance in learning computer systems, many are embracing this new technology. There is growing potential not only for recreation and communication through the Internet but also the delivery of services. This study examines the feasibility of providing Internet and electronic mail access to older adults in a retirement community and the extent to which this improves psychosocial well-being. In contrast to members of a comparison group, a trend toward decreased loneliness was observed among participants. In addition, the number of computer-related problems decreased and use of the applications increased throughout the study. These preliminary results support the feasibility of implementing computer-based interventions with the potential of improving psychosocial well-being among older adults.
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Neither group internet training study reported any significant intervention effects on the outcomes extracted.
“Neither study reported any significant intervention effects on the outcomes extracted.”
From Interventions targeting social isolation in older people: a systematic review (2011) · cites this paper as [62]
Two studies reported internet training interventions delivered within group settings; one was at moderate risk of bias and one was judged to be at high risk of bias.
“Two studies reported internet training interventions delivered within group settings; one of which was at moderate risk of bias [64] and one was judged to be at high risk of bias [62].”
From Interventions targeting social isolation in older people: a systematic review (2011) · cites this paper as [62]
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Background
- Authors
- White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Bynum, L., Teague, C., Navas, L., Craven, S., & Halbrecht, H.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- West Florida Senior Health Services
- ORCID
- McConnell, Eleanor
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Gerontology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1999-09
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 358-378
- ISSN
- 0733-4648 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-4523
- OpenAlex
- W2137760862
- Cited by
- 261
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2025: 5 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 18.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Gerontology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Keywords
- older adults, internet use, computer use, quality of life, loneliness, social isolation, psychosocial well-being, email, retirement communities, computer-based intervention, technology adoption
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