Aging Well in the Digital Age: Technology in Processes of Selective Optimization with Compensation

Galit Nimrod and Jan Warren-Findlow

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2020, vol. 75, issue 9, 2008-2017

Abstract: ObjectivesStudies show that using information and communication technology (ICT) contributes significantly to elders’ subjective well-being (SWB). Drawing on the Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model, this study aims at exploring the mechanism by which ICT use helps older adults remain engaged in valued life activities and maintain their SWB.MethodInvolving teams from seven countries (Canada, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Peru, Romania, Spain), 27 focus groups were conducted with a total of 184 grandmothers aged 65 years and older who use ICT.ResultsAnalysis led to identification of a series of strategies related to ICT use that may be described in SOC terms. “Intentional limited use” and “Selective timing,”, for example, are clearly associated with selection. In addition, numerous optimizing strategies were found to be applied in “Instrumental” and “Leisure” activities, whereas some ICT uses offered compensation for “Aging-related” and “General” challenging circumstances.DiscussionThe study suggests that ICT is used in all three SOC processes and that its effective application facilitates adjustment and enhances SWB. It should therefore be regarded as a resource that supports existing personal and social resources and life management strategies, and even as a Quality of Life Technology that maintains or enhances functioning in older adulthood.

Keywords: Aging; Qualitative research; Technology; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbz111 (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oup:geronb:v:75:y:2020:i:9:p:2008-2017.

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://academic.oup.com/journals

Access Statistics for this article

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

More articles in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B from The Gerontological Society of America Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, UK.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Oxford University Press ().