title: Information and Communication Technology Use Is Related to Higher Well-Being Among the Oldest-Old.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Older adults often prioritize socially meaningful goals over informational goals. Thus, we predicted that using information and communication technology (ICT) in service of socially meaningful versus informational goals relates to higher well-being among the oldest-old.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 445 adults aged 80+ (mean = 84, range = 80-93; 64% female; 26% non-White) online or via telephone. Participants reported motivations for ICT use (connect with others, learn new information) and rated their psychological and physical well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, loneliness, goal attainment, subjective health, functional limitations). We conducted regression and mediation analyses to test our hypothesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants used ICT more to connect with friends/family (M = 3.66, SD = 1.28) than to learn information (M = 2.61, SD = 1.44), p < .001. Overall, ICT use predicted higher well-being across outcomes, ps ≤ .008. Motivations for use differentially mediated these effects: Social motivations mediated the relationships between ICT use and psychological well-being, whereas informational motivations mediated the relationships between ICT use and physical well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults aged 80+ use ICT less than other generations, but may have much to gain. Using social versus informational technologies may enhance multiple aspects of well-being in different ways during very late life. Highlighting such benefits may increase ICT adoption among the oldest-old.
authors.affiliation: Stanford Center on Longevity, Stanford University, California.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.affiliation: Stanford Center on Longevity, Stanford University, California.
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Florida State University, Tallahassee.
authors.forename: Dawn C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003200:Computer User Training; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D066275:Health Information Exchange; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D060756:Social Networking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Life satisfaction; Loneliness; Physical health; Social technology; Socioemotional selectivity theory