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

Shannon Freeman, Hannah R. Marston, Janna Olynick, Charles Musselwhite, Cory Kulczycki, Rebecca Genoe and Beibei Xiong
Additional contact information
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

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-14

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.

Keywords: digital; intergenerational communication; gerontology; aging; family; cross-cultural research; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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