title: Computer communication and the elderly.
abstract: Elderly's involvement with a society's information resources has been thought to indicate their social status. Moreover, as the societal status of information resources themselves is greater, the status of elderly may be even greater. Computer-based communication systems are leading the transformation of post-industrial societies from previously industrial to primarily informational. As elderly become effective computer users, they may enhance their social status and personal well-being. The present research examines effects of elderly's participation with computer-mediated communication on attitudes toward computers and themselves. A quasi-experimental design involving residents of a retirement community is used with a sample of 30 pre- and 13 post-treatment subjects. The treatment consists of using recreational computer games and computer messaging. Self-administered questionnaires and observer ratings are the primary data collection instruments. Results show that computer use may increase favorability towards computers and self-esteem. Also, the greater the degree of interactiveness of specific computer use activities, the greater user preference. Facilitator and inhibitors of elderly's interaction with computers are suggested.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D003142:Communication; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings