Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis
BackgroundLoneliness is a significant issue among older Asian Americans, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, lower income, limited education, and immigrant status heighten loneliness risk. Information communication technologies (ICTs) have been associated with de...
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JMIR Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | JMIR Aging |
| Online Access: | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e63856 |
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| author | Pauline DeLange Martinez Daniel Tancredi Misha Pavel Lorena Garcia Heather M Young |
| author_facet | Pauline DeLange Martinez Daniel Tancredi Misha Pavel Lorena Garcia Heather M Young |
| author_sort | Pauline DeLange Martinez |
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BackgroundLoneliness is a significant issue among older Asian Americans, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, lower income, limited education, and immigrant status heighten loneliness risk. Information communication technologies (ICTs) have been associated with decreased loneliness among older adults. However, older Asian Americans are less likely to use ICTs, particularly if they are immigrants, have limited English proficiency, or are low income. The Technology Acceptance Model posits that perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are key factors in predicting technology use.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine associations between PU, PEOU, ICT use, and loneliness among low-income, older Asian Americans.
MethodsCross-sectional survey data were gathered from predominately older Asian Americans in affordable senior housing (N=401). Using exploratory factor analysis and Horn parallel analysis, we examined 12 survey items to identify factors accounting for variance in ICT use. We deployed structural equation modeling to explore relationships among the latent factors and loneliness, adjusting for demographic and cognitive factors.
ResultsExploratory factor analysis and Horn parallel analysis revealed 3 factors that accounted for 56.48% (6.78/12) total variance. PEOU combined items from validated subscales of tech anxiety and comfort, accounting for a 28.44% (3.41/12) variance. ICT use combined years of technological experience, computer, tablet, and smartphone use frequency, accounting for 15.59% (1.87/12) variance. PU combined 2 items assessing the usefulness of technology for social connection and learning and accounted for a 12.44% (1.49/12) variance. The 3-factor structural equation modeling revealed reasonable fit indexes (χ2133=345.132; P<.001, chi-square minimum (CMIN)/df = 2595, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.93, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI)=0.88). PEOU was positively associated with PU (β=.15; P=.01); PEOU and PU were positive predictors of ICT use (PEOU β=.26, P<.001; PU β=.18, P=.01); and ICT use was negatively associated with loneliness (β=–.28, P<.001). Demographic and health covariates also significantly influenced PU, PEOU, ICT use, and loneliness. English proficiency and education positively predicted PEOU (r=0.25, P<.001; r=0.26, P<.001) and ICT use (β=1.66, P=.03; β=.21, P<.001), while subjective cognitive decline and Asian ethnicity were positively associated with loneliness (β=.31, P<.001; β=.25, P<.001).
ConclusionsThis study suggests that targeted interventions enhancing PU or PEOU could increase ICT acceptance and reduce loneliness among low-income Asian Americans. Findings also underscore the importance of considering limited English proficiency and subjective cognitive decline when designing interventions and in future research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4fe13bc301f94c4baefe3a519143a4d4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2561-7605 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
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| series | JMIR Aging |
| spelling | doaj-art-4fe13bc301f94c4baefe3a519143a4d42025-01-08T21:01:30ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Aging2561-76052025-01-018e6385610.2196/63856Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey AnalysisPauline DeLange Martinezhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9983-4114Daniel Tancredihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3884-7907Misha Pavelhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8023-6405Lorena Garciahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9976-761XHeather M Younghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1691-3993 BackgroundLoneliness is a significant issue among older Asian Americans, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, lower income, limited education, and immigrant status heighten loneliness risk. Information communication technologies (ICTs) have been associated with decreased loneliness among older adults. However, older Asian Americans are less likely to use ICTs, particularly if they are immigrants, have limited English proficiency, or are low income. The Technology Acceptance Model posits that perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are key factors in predicting technology use. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine associations between PU, PEOU, ICT use, and loneliness among low-income, older Asian Americans. MethodsCross-sectional survey data were gathered from predominately older Asian Americans in affordable senior housing (N=401). Using exploratory factor analysis and Horn parallel analysis, we examined 12 survey items to identify factors accounting for variance in ICT use. We deployed structural equation modeling to explore relationships among the latent factors and loneliness, adjusting for demographic and cognitive factors. ResultsExploratory factor analysis and Horn parallel analysis revealed 3 factors that accounted for 56.48% (6.78/12) total variance. PEOU combined items from validated subscales of tech anxiety and comfort, accounting for a 28.44% (3.41/12) variance. ICT use combined years of technological experience, computer, tablet, and smartphone use frequency, accounting for 15.59% (1.87/12) variance. PU combined 2 items assessing the usefulness of technology for social connection and learning and accounted for a 12.44% (1.49/12) variance. The 3-factor structural equation modeling revealed reasonable fit indexes (χ2133=345.132; P<.001, chi-square minimum (CMIN)/df = 2595, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.93, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI)=0.88). PEOU was positively associated with PU (β=.15; P=.01); PEOU and PU were positive predictors of ICT use (PEOU β=.26, P<.001; PU β=.18, P=.01); and ICT use was negatively associated with loneliness (β=–.28, P<.001). Demographic and health covariates also significantly influenced PU, PEOU, ICT use, and loneliness. English proficiency and education positively predicted PEOU (r=0.25, P<.001; r=0.26, P<.001) and ICT use (β=1.66, P=.03; β=.21, P<.001), while subjective cognitive decline and Asian ethnicity were positively associated with loneliness (β=.31, P<.001; β=.25, P<.001). ConclusionsThis study suggests that targeted interventions enhancing PU or PEOU could increase ICT acceptance and reduce loneliness among low-income Asian Americans. Findings also underscore the importance of considering limited English proficiency and subjective cognitive decline when designing interventions and in future research.https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e63856 |
| spellingShingle | Pauline DeLange Martinez Daniel Tancredi Misha Pavel Lorena Garcia Heather M Young Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis JMIR Aging |
| title | Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis |
| title_full | Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis |
| title_short | Adapting the Technology Acceptance Model to Examine the Use of Information Communication Technologies and Loneliness Among Low-Income, Older Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis |
| title_sort | adapting the technology acceptance model to examine the use of information communication technologies and loneliness among low income older asian americans cross sectional survey analysis |
| url | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e63856 |
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