"Partnering with Seniors for Better Health": computer use and Internet health information retrieval among older adults in a low socioeconomic community.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE: This health communication project measured the psychosocial influences of computer anxiety, computer confidence, and computer self-efficacy in older adults at six meal congregate sites. The adults completed a five-week education intervention, based on Bandura's self-efficacy model, designed to assist older adults in retrieving and evaluating health information resources on the Internet. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven participants, ages sixty-five and older, were randomized in a controlled, two-group, pre-post, repeated measures design. Participants in the intervention group received a two-hour training session, once a week for five weeks. The Computer Confidence Subscale and Computer Anxiety Subscale of the Computer Attitude Scale and the Computer Self-Efficacy Measure were administered to both groups at three time intervals: at baseline, completion of the five-week intervention, and six weeks after completion of the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Findings showed a reduction in computer anxiety and increases in computer confidence and computer self-efficacy in retrieving and evaluating online health information (P<0.001). DISCUSSION: The study suggests an array of possibilities to engage older adults in the use of Internet health information resources to better contribute to their health, independence, safety, and wellness.

Author information

Author/s: Chu, Adeline (A); Huber, Jeffrey (J); Mastel-Smith, Beth (B); Cesario, Sandra (S);

Affiliation: College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center, 6700 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA. adeln(-atsign-)twu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA (J Med Libr Assoc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jan; vol 97 (issue 1) : pp 12-20

Dates: Created 2009/01/22; Completed 2009/02/23;

PMID: 19159002, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 3/9/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety - prevention & control
Attitude to Computers
Computer User Training - methods
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Promotion - methods

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