Effect of a Digital Literacy Program on Older Adults’ Digital Social Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Hocheol Lee, Joo-Aeh Lim and Hae-Kweun Nam ()
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Hocheol Lee: Yonsei Healthy City Research Center, Wonju 26493, Korea
Joo-Aeh Lim: Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea
Hae-Kweun Nam: Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju 26426, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: In South Korea, digital literacy education programs are expected to help its older population participate in online welfare services to increase their social support, self-esteem and well-being. This quasi-experimental study assesses the effects of digital literacy education on digital device usage among rural-dwelling adults aged 65 and above and evaluates the positive effects of digital literacy education on depression, happiness, quality of life, self-efficacy and cognitive function. A digital literacy education program and a customized questionnaire survey were conducted to evaluate smartphone use competency and the program’s effects, respectively. We also conducted a chi-square test, paired t -test and difference-in-differences regression analysis. The experimental group showed a significant increase in smartphone usage and video recording capacity than the control group. The happiness and cognitive function scores for dementia screening increased significantly by a mean of 3.7 and 1.1 points, respectively, after digital literacy education. Cognitive function increased significantly by 1.305 points in the experimental group compared to the control group (β = 1.305, p = 0.05 *). Digital literacy education for older adults in rural areas greatly increased smartphone use, video recording capacity, happiness and cognitive function. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the government should implement digital literacy education for older adults in rural areas to increase their happiness and cognitive function.

Keywords: digital literacy education; smartphone usage; social isolation; online welfare services; social prescribing; aging population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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