title: Predictors of older adults' technology use and its relationship to depressive symptoms and well-being.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To extend the empirical evidence regarding the predictors of older adults' use of information and communications technology (ICT) and to further examine its relationship to depressive symptoms and well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study utilized a sample of community-dwelling older adults from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 6,443). Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the effects of predictor variables on ICT use and the effects of use on depressive symptoms and well-being. Tests of moderation by demographic characteristics and level of ICT use were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Socioeconomic status (SES), age, and cognitive function accounted for approximately 60% of the variance in ICT use. SES was a stronger predictor for Blacks/African Americans, whereas cognitive function was a stronger predictor for Whites. ICT use was unrelated to depressive symptoms or well-being. However, it acted as a moderator, such that limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) was a stronger predictor of depressive symptoms for high ICT users, whereas ill-health was a stronger predictor for non/limited users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings do not support the claim that ICT use directly enhances mental health or well-being among older adults although it may protect against depressive symptoms for individuals coping with health conditions other than ADL impairments.
authors.affiliation: Warner School of Education & Human Development, University of Rochester, New York. aelliot4@u.rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Ari J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.affiliation: Warner School of Education & Human Development, University of Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.affiliation: Warner School of Education & Human Development, University of Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Kathryn Z
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Douthit
authors.affiliation: Warner School of Education & Human Development, University of Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Martin F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Cognition; Depression; Health; ICT; Mental Health; Technology; Well-being.