title: Life-Span Differences in the Uses and Gratifications of Tablets: Implications for Older Adults.
abstract: This study extends Uses and Gratifications theory by examining the uses and gratifications of a new technological device, the tablet computer, and investigating the differential uses and gratifications of tablet computers across the life-span. First, we utilized a six-week tablet training intervention to adapt and extend existing measures to the tablet as a technological device. Next, we used paper-based and online surveys (N=847), we confirmed four main uses of tablets: 1) Information Seeking, 2) Relationship Maintenance, 3) Style, 4) Amusement and Killing time, and added one additional use category 5) Organization. We discovered differences among the five main uses of tablets across the life-span, with older adults using tablets the least overall. Builders, Boomers, GenX and GenY all reported the highest means for information seeking. Finally, we used a structural equation model to examine how uses and gratifications predicts hours of tablet use. The study provides limitations and suggestions for future research and marketers. In particular, this study offers insight to the relevancy of theory as it applies to particular information and communication technologies and consideration of how different periods in the life-span affect tablet motivations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Bowling Green State University.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Magsamen-Conrad
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Bowling Green State University.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dowd
authors.affiliation: School of Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abuljadail
authors.affiliation: School of Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University.
authors.forename: Saud
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alsulaiman
authors.affiliation: School of Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shareefi
keywords: generations; life-span; multi-group model; tablet; technology; uses and gratifications