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

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	"Partnering with Seniors for Better Health": computer use and Internet health information retrieval among older adults in a low socioeconomic community.
Authors:	Chu, Adeline¹ adeln@twu.edu, Huber, Jeffrey² jhuber@twu.edu, Mastel-Smith, Beth³ bmastelsmith@twu.edu, Cesario, Sandra⁴ scesario@twu.edu
Source:	Journal of the Medical Library Association. Jan2009, Vol. 97 Issue 1, p11-19. 9p. 1 Diagram, 3 Graphs.
Subjects:	Internet & older people, Health education -- Computer network resources, Internet searching, Digital literacy, Computer literacy, Education of older people, Medical communication
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	15365050
DOI:	10.3163/1536-5050.97.1.003