Perceived Usefulness and Easiness of Information and Communication Technologies and Volunteering among Older Adults

TitlePerceived Usefulness and Easiness of Information and Communication Technologies and Volunteering among Older Adults
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsCho, J, Kim, BR, Jeon, J, Park, S
JournalJournal of Gerontological Social Work
Volume63
Issue3
ISSN Number0163-4372
KeywordsPoverty, productive aging, Technology, Volunteerism
Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the association between older adults’ perception of usefulness and easiness (PUE) of Internet Communication and Technologies (ICTs) and volunteering, and if this association differs across their income status. Data were obtained from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and the sample was restricted to respondents aged between 60 and 84 (N = 901) and who completed the 2012 HRS technology module. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to examine the independent and joint influence of PUE of ICTs and of low-income status on volunteering. The results show that only people with high PUE engaged in more than 100 hours of volunteering among older adults after controlling for covariates. The positive effect of high PUE was found to be more significant in the low-income group. This is the first known research to investigate the PUE of ICTs and volunteering among older adults. This study expands the knowledge of volunteering among older adults by exploring ICTs which can be considered as one of the most influential macrosocial changes in the current society. Moreover, our findings provide some insights and an empirical foundation in volunteering programs for older adults of different PUE levels.

Notes

PMID: 32401174

DOI10.1080/01634372.2020.1760992
Citation Keydoi:10.1080/01634372.2020.1760992