Analyzing Factors Affecting the Use of Digital Technology to Improve the Quality of Life of Older Adults

Main Article Content

Yuthapoom Thanakijborisut

Abstract

Thailand's rapid transformation into a digital society presents significant challenges for older adults as they must adapt to swiftly evolving technologies. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the use of digital technology to improve the quality of life of older adults in line with contemporary societal demands. Data were collected from 450 older adults aged 60 and above in Bangkok through questionnaires and interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of various factors on the probability of older adults improving their quality of life using digital technology. The results indicate that increased age and being currently married are significantly associated with a lower probability of older adults improving their quality of life through digital technology. Conversely, an increase in household members, possession of a bachelor's degree or higher, and prior experience with technology significantly contribute to the likelihood of older adults using digital technology to improve their quality of life. Specifically, these factors increase the probability of older adults improving their quality of life by an average of 3.29%, 24.91%, and 30.24%, respectively, with statistical significance.


Therefore, the use of digital technology plays a crucial role in the daily lives of older adults, enabling them to enhance their quality of life and reduce their dependency on their families.


 

Article Details

How to Cite
Thanakijborisut, . . Y. . (2024). Analyzing Factors Affecting the Use of Digital Technology to Improve the Quality of Life of Older Adults. University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Journal Humanities and Social Sciences, 44(3), 66–91. Retrieved from https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/utccjournalhs/article/view/273093
Section
Research Articles

References

Aiyar, S., Ebeke, C., & Shao, X. (2016). The impact of workforce aging on European productivity. IMF Working Paper, 16(238), 1–29. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2016/wp16238.pdf

Bloom, D. E., Canning, D., & Finlay, J. E. (2010). Population aging and economic growth in Asia. In T. Ito & A. Rose (Eds), The economic consequences of demographic change in East Asia (pp.61–89). https://www.nber.org/system/files/chapters/c8148/c8148.pdf

Bünning, M., Schlomann, A., Memmer, N., Tesch-Römer, C., & Wahl, H. (2023). Digital gender gap in the second half of life is declining: Changes in gendered internet use between 2014 and 2021 in Germany. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 78(8), 1386–1395. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbad079

Department of Older Persons, Division of Older Persons Promotion. (2021, June 21). The current aging society and the economy in Thailand. https://www.dop.go.th/th/know/15/926 [in Thai]

He, Y., Li, K., & Wang, Y. (2022). Crossing the digital divide: The impact of the digital economy on elderly individuals’ consumption upgrade in China. Technology in Society, 71, 102141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102141

Kleechaya, P. (2021). Digital technology utilization of elderly and framework for promoting Thai active and productive aging. Journal of Communication Arts, 39(2), 56–78.

https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jcomm/article/download/247470/169330/ [in Thai]

König, R., Seifert, A., & Doh, M. (2018). Internet use among older Europeans: An analysis based on SHARE data. Universal Access in the Information Society, 17(3), 621–633. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-018-0609-5

Kung, S. J. C., & Steptoe, A. (2023). Changes in internet use patterns among older adults in England from before to after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Reports, 13, 3932. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30882-8

Maestas, N., Mullen, K. J., & Powell, D. (2016). The effect of population aging on economic growth, the labor force, and productivity. National Bureau of Economic Research. 22452. https://doi.org/10.3386/w22452

Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. (2024). Statistics, demographic statistics. https://www.nesdc.go.th/main.php?filename=PageSocial [in Thai]

Pewnil, T. (2016). Access to telecommunications services and online communication usage among Thai elderly. Journal of Digital Communications, 1(1), 408–441.

https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/NBTC_Journal/article/view/119101 [in Thai]

Rosario, P-M., Carolina, P-R., Montserrat, N-C., & Elena, M-M. (2021). Determinant factors of individuals’ decision to emigrate in rural Spain: The role of ICT-based public policies. Technology in Society, 67, 101777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101777

Schehl, B., Leukel, J., & Sugumaran, V. (2019). Understanding differentiated internet use in older adults: A study of informational, social, and instrumental online activities. Computers in Human Behavior, 97, 222–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.031

Schlomann, A., Seifert, A., Zank, S., Woopen, C., & Rietz, C. (2020). Use of information and communication technology (ICT) devices among the oldest-old: Loneliness, anomie, and autonomy. Innovation in Aging, 4(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz050

Seifert, A., Cotton, R. S., & Xie, B. (2021). A double burden of exclusion? Digital and social exclusion of older adults in times of COVID-19. Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(3), e99–e103. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa098

Song, Y., Qian, C., & Pickard, S. (2021). Age-related digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), 11285. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111285

Taipale, S., Oinas, T., & Karhinen, J. (2021). Heterogeneity of traditional and digital media use among older adults: A six-country comparison. Technology in Society, 66, 101642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101642

Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An introductory analysis (3rd ed.). Harper & Row.

Yu, D., & Fiebig, G. D. (2020). Internet use and cognition among middle-aged and older adults in China: A cross-lagged panel analysis. The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, 17, 100262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeoa.2020.100262

Zhang, H., Wang, H., Yan, H., & Wang, X. (2021). Impact of internet use on mental health among elderly individuals: A difference-in-differences study based on 2016–2018 CFPS data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 1–16.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010101