Studies on the Digital Inclusion Among Older Adults and the Quality of Life—A Nanjing Example in China

Hui Yang; Hongtu Chen; Tianshu Pan; Yiran Lin; Ying Zhang; Honglin Chen; Honglin Chen

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.811959

Frontiers in Public Health (May 2022)

Studies on the Digital Inclusion Among Older Adults and the Quality of Life—A Nanjing Example in China

Hui Yang,
Hongtu Chen,
Tianshu Pan,
Yiran Lin,
Ying Zhang,
Honglin Chen,
Honglin Chen

Affiliations

Hui Yang: Department of Sociology, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
Hongtu Chen: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine Affiliate, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
Tianshu Pan: School of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Yiran Lin: College of Public Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Ying Zhang: Dongfang College, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Jiaxing, China
Honglin Chen: Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
Honglin Chen: Department of Social Work, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.811959
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Digital inclusion can bridge the digital divide and reduce the social exclusion of older adults, yet it is understudied in China. This research examined factors influencing the digital inclusion of older adults in China and the relationship between digital inclusion and quality of life. Data collected from 312 older people (M = 69.6 years old) in Nanjing were included in a multinomial logit model to tackle these questions. Their attitudes toward technology were the most significant factor predicting their digital inclusion. Other factors included party affiliation, living situation, personal average monthly income, occupation, and capacity for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). This study shows digital inclusion has a direct impact on quality of life. It also serves as an intermediate variable that affects older people's attitudes toward technology and their IADL capacities. Most importantly, digital inclusion promotes social integration of older adults and improves the quality of their lives. Hence, it should not be ignored. Older people's attitudes toward technology are one of the keys to promoting their digital inclusion.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health

ISSN: 2296-2565 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health

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