title: Enhancing computer self-efficacy and attitudes in multi-ethnic older adults: a randomised controlled study.
abstract: Several studies have documented the health-related benefits of older adults' use of computer technology, but before they can be realised, older individuals must be positively inclined and confident in their ability to engage in computer-based environments. To facilitate the assessment of computer technology attitudes, one aim of the longitudinal study reported in this paper was to test and refine a new 22-item measure of computer technology attitudes designed specifically for older adults, as none such were available. Another aim was to replicate, on a much larger scale, the successful findings of a preliminary study that tested a computer technology training programme for older adults (Laganà 2008). Ninety-six older men and women, mainly from non-European-American backgrounds, were randomly assigned to the waitlist/control or the experimental group. The same six-week one-on-one training was administered to the control subjects at the completion of their post-test. The revised (17-item) version of theOlder Adults' Computer Technology Attitudes Scale(OACTAS) showed strong reliability: the results of a factor analysis were robust, and two analyses of covariance demonstrated that the training programme induced significant changes in attitudes and self-efficacy. Such results encourage the recruitment of older persons into training programmes aimed at increasing computer technology attitudes and self-efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Psychology, California State University Northridge, California, USA.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laganà
authors.affiliation: Psychology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.affiliation: Psychology, California State University Northridge, California, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.affiliation: Psychology, California State University Northridge, California, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
keywords: computer attitudes; computer self-efficacy; computer training; older ethnic minorities