Exploring the Use of Communication and Information Technologies by Older Adults
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Legacy Theses 1999 Cyberseniors: Exploring the use of communication and information technologies by older adults Johnston, David W. Johnston, D. W. (1999). Cyberseniors: Exploring the use of communication and information technologies by older adults (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/15680 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/25097 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY CYBERSENIORS: EXPLORING THE USE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES BY OLDER ADULTS by David W. Jot~nston A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA FEBRUARY, 1999 O David Johnston 1999 National Library Bibliotheque nationale 141 ofCanada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395,rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteu. a accorde me licence non exclusive licence dowing the exclusive pennettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliotheque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduke, pr&r, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette these sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfichelfilm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format Bectronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriete du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protege cette these. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othefwise de celle-ci ne doivent etre imprimes reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT This thesis addresses the question, "from the perspective of a holistic model of health and well-being, in what ways do older adults use communication and information technologies and the related services they provide (CITS), and what meanings do CITS hold for older adults who use them?" After discussing literature in this area, two case studies of computer organizations oriented to older adults are conducted. Participants in the case studies appeared to derive the greatest meaning from using their knowledge about CITS to help others, share their experiences in face-to-face communication settings, and feel up-to-date. Some participants also encountered barriers when using CITS, but they seemed willing to tolerate these barriers, or felt it was not their place to overcome these barriers. The possible association between the findings and issues such as ageism, technological utopianism, and technological dependence are also explored. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank the following individuals: Dr. Douglas Brent, for direction, encouragement, and introducing me to the literature which led me to choose this topic; Dr. Edna Einsiedel, for theoretical and methodological insights, and providing me with many rich learning experiences when I worked as her Research Assistant; Dr. Tak Fung, for statistical advice; Sylvia Mills and Marion Smith, for always being cheery, being my administrative watchdogs, and of course, free food; All faculty and students in the Graduate Program in Communications Studies, for providing me the opportunity to learn from their colourful and diverse backgrounds; The staff and members of Elderweb and Creative Retirement Manitoba, particularly Peter Brown,Richard Denesiuk, Bonnie Trombo, and Keith Bradley; My colleagues at the Alberta Cancer Board, particularly Dr. Suzanne Tough; My dogs, Josie and Allie, for comic relief and financial destitution; All of my family, for support and encouragement; And most importantly, my spouse, Jennifer, and son, Dustin, for their love, patience, and understanding. TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval Page............................................................................ .. .......... ii Abstract ................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................... iv Table of Contents .................................................................................... v List of Tables ..........................................................................................viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION............................................................. Background and Research Question .......................................... Significance of the Research Question........................................ CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................... Introduction.............................................................................. Part One: Philosophical Perspectives on ClTS and Technology ..... Liberalism-Positivism: The Dominant Paradigm.................. Alternative Perspectives................................................ Part Two: Aging in Canada ........................................................ Demographics.............................................................. Health Levels....................... .., ...................................... Socioeconomic Characteristics ........................................ Psychosocial Characteristics ........................................... Anti-Ageism ................................................................. A Holistic Model of Health and Well-Being ......................... Part Three: Older Adults, CITS, and Health and Well-Being ........... Benefits of CITS Discussed in the Older Adult Literature ....... Section Summary ......................................................... Potential Barriers to the use of ClTS by Older Adults ............ Chapter Summary ..................................................................... CHAPTER THREE: METHODS................................................................... Introduction .............................................................................. Phase One: Survey ................................................................... Background and Instrument.......................................... Recruitment and Procedure.......................................... Analysis .................................................................... Phase Two: Interviews.............................................................. Member Interviews...................................................... Peer-Trainer Interviews................................................ Staff Interviews.......................................................... CHAPTER FOUR: SURVEY RESULTS........................................................ Introduction....................................................................... Part One: Baseline Member Characteristics................................. Gender....................................................................... Age ....................... .................................................. Marital Status ............................................................... Education.................................................................... Household Income ........................................................ Employment Status and Primary Occupation ...................... Residence.................................................................. Physical, Sensory, and Emotional Difficulties...................... Volunteerism ............................................................. Part Two: General CITS-Related Experiences, Attitudes, and Behaviours............................................................................. Previous Computer Experience....................................... Possession of Internet Accounts ...................................... Attitudes about Computing............................................. Computer Applications ................................................... Part Three: Network Specific Findings........................................ Elderweb.................................................................... Creative Retirement Manitoba......................................... CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF SURVEY RESULTS AND INTERVIEWS...... Introduction .............................................................................. Part One: Discussion of Baseline Member Characteristics ............ Gender Differences....................................................... Age Differences............... ... ........................................ Income........................................................................ Marital Status............................................................... Part Two: Positive Experiences Participants Associated with CITS, Elderweb, and CRM.......................................................... Volunteerism ............................................................. The Importance and Meaning of Information to Participants... Communication