Cognitive Adaptability Predicts Digital Health Technology Use in Older Adults
Academic Article
Overview
Overview
Abstract
Abstract Purpose: Use of digital health technology varies among older adults. The psychological factors influencing the acceptance and use of digital health technology among older adults are limitedly examined. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between psychological factors, internal and external loci of control, and psychological adaptability with digital health technology use in this population. Methods: Data from the National Health Aging Trends Study were used to investigate four types of digital health technology: seeking health information, managing health insurance data, refilling prescriptions/scheduling appointments, and participating in telehealth visits. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between psychological factors and digital health technology use in older adults. Results: Among 4,651 respondents, participants reported using digital health technology to make telehealth visits (51.9%), manage health insurance data (42.4%), fill prescriptions/schedule health appointments (30.3%), and obtain health information (25.8%). Psychological adaptability was statistically significantly associated with greater use. Internal and external loci of control were not statistically significantly associated with digital health technology use among participants. Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate that psychological adaptability is a significant predictor of digital health technology use among older adults. These findings highlight the need to implement user-centered design and to develop and test digital interventions that capitalize on psychological adaptability using a guided or problem-solving approach to improve the digital health technology usage. These measures can mitigate disparities in digital health technology use in this population.
