The Elderly & The Internet

The Impact Of The Internet On The Well-Being Of Older Chinese

Xie, Bo. Care Management Journals (2007)

Abstract: This study examines the impact of the Internet on the well-being of older Chinese. Thirty-three older Chinese, who were current or former students of a senior-oriented computer training organization based in Shanghai, China, were interviewed about their use and perceptions of the Internet. Data analysis was guided by grounded theory. The findings indicate that Internet learning and use in this peer group makes these older Chinese's lives after retirement more meaningful, and improves their self-evaluations as well as other people's views of them. These findings suggest that Internet learning and use is positively associated with the well-being of these older Chinese. This study also finds culturally specific factors-including mandatory retirement and recent economic reforms in China-that mediate older Chinese people's use and perceptions of the Internet. Finally, societal implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.

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Review 

This article presents the findings of a study that focusses specifically on the Impact of the Internet on the well-being of older Chinese as well as highlighting the findings of a number of studies that show that the benefits gained by the elderly through the use of online media are universal.

One example from an early study focusses on residents in an urban retirement facility. This study indicated that amongst the elderly, computer games and online communication often accompanied “increased self-confidence and a decreased sense of loneliness” (Danowski & Sacks, 1980). Likewise a study conducted on residents of a long -term care facility “that computer and Internet use was associated with not only decreased levels of depression but also increased levels of daily activities and cognitive functioning” (McConatha, McConatha, & Dermigny, 1994). A two-year, at a Californian senior centre reported that “computer learning and use increased participants' learning and mental abilities, and provided them with a sense of accomplishment, self-confidence, and control over their environment” (Eilers, 1989). Other similar studies found that “learning and use of the Internet found that Internet use was positively associated with increased levels of communication and satisfaction with the amount of contact with others” (Bradley & Poppen, 2003). (Karavidas, Lim, & Katsikas, 2005) “greater Internet use was associated with a lower level of perceived life stress” (Wright, 2000). In another study, elderly respondent’s reported that “Internet use reduced their loneliness and enriched their lives.” Chen and Persson (2002)  a study conducted by Ryff in 1989 indicated that a “personal growth and purpose in life-were significantly higher than those of their age peers who did not use the Internet” Yet again, a study focusing on older Israeli Internet users and nonusers reported that, compared with nonusers” respondent’s also reported an “increased confidence in their ability to learn new technologies in later life” as-well as being  “more devoted to the present and the future instead of the past “

(Blit-Cohen & Litwin, 2004).

In the present study, 33 elderly Chinese all of which where current and former students (aged between 50 and 79 years) of a senior-oriented computer training organization based in Shanghai where asked a series of open ended questions, designed to investigate the influence that the use of online media has had on their wellbeing which included the following; Has using the Internet affected your life in any ways? Have you changed your ideas about what kind of person you are since you started using the Internet? Have other people changed their opinions about you since you started using the Internet?

The findings from this study strongly argued that the use of online media had a very positive effect on the overall wellbeing of elderly Chinese, many of the benefits that the respondent’s reported  from using the internet were directly related to mental health, including the “salient theme” that emerged from the study;  “The Internet Makes Life After Retirement More Meaningful”.  For example, one respondent answered the first question by saying that “After I retired, all that I felt was emptiness…I had many health problems at the time... Since I started learning computers at OldKids, I feel that now I have a new goal to pursue. Whatever I've learned makes me feel that I have accomplished something. So now I am very happy.” (Atian, female, 79), this article presents a number of similar stories and in doing so argues that the use of online media is beneficial to the mental health of individuals.

Reference 

The Impact Of The Internet On The Well-Being Of Older Chinese

Xie, Bo - The Impact Of The Internet On The Well-Being Of Older Chinese - Care Management Journals - (2007)

Danowski, J. A., & Sacks, W - Computer communication and the elderly - Experimental Aging Research - 1980

McConatha, D., McConatha, J. T., & Dermigny, R - The use of interactive computer services to enhance the quality of life for long-term care residents - The Gerontologist - 1994

Eilers, M. L. Older adults and computer education: "Not to have the world a closed door." - International Journal of Technology and Aging - 1989

Bradley, N., & Poppen, W. -  Assistive technology, computers and Internet may decrease sense of isolation for homebound elderly and disabled persons - Technology and Disability - 2003

Wright, K. B. - Computer-mediated social support, older adults, and coping - Journal of Communication - 2000

Chen, Y., & Persson, A. - Internet use among young and older adults: Relation to psychological well-being -  Educational Gerontology - 2002

Blit-Cohen, E., & Litwin, H - Elder participation in cyberspace: A qualitative analysis of Israeli retirees - Journal of Aging Studies 2004