Individual difference predictors of ICT use in older adulthood: A study of 17 candidate characteristics

Given the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) use in older adulthood, a natural question is which individual difference characteristics predict ICT use and adoption. Research has provided mixed findings drawn from studies that generally focus on a narrow set of ICTs, a narrow set of individual difference constructs, and younger adults. Using data from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, we examined 17 individual difference predictors of ICT use among older adults. Need for cognition, perceived mastery, and optimism positively predicted ICT use after controlling for all the constructs simultaneously; cynical hostility also emerged as a negative predictor of ICT use. Further, viewing more benefits of ICT use explained why those high in need for cognition used more ICTs. Directions for future research include examining the processes that link individual differences to ICT use and its subsequent benefits during the second half of life.