“That’s for old so and so’s!”: does identity influence older adults’ technology adoption decisions?

Astell, A. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6822-9472, McGrath, C. and Dove, E. (2020) “That’s for old so and so’s!”: does identity influence older adults’ technology adoption decisions? Ageing & Society, 40 (7). pp. 1550-1576. ISSN 0144-686X doi: 10.1017/S0144686X19000230

Abstract/Summary

The role of identity in older adults’ decision-making about assistive technology adoption has been suggested but not fully explored. This scoping review was conducted to better understand how older adults’ self-image and their desire to maintain this, influences their decision-making processes regarding assistive technology adoption. Using the five-stage scoping review framework by Arksey and O’Malley, a total of 416 search combinations were run across 9 databases, resulting in a final yield of 49 articles. From these 49 articles, five themes emerged: (1) Resisting the negative reality of an ageing and/or disabled identity; (2) Independence and control are key; (3) The aesthetic dimension of usability; (4) Assistive technology as a last resort; and (5) Privacy versus pragmatics. The findings highlight the importance of older adults’ desire to portray an identity consistent with independence, self-reliance and competence, and how this desire directly impacts their assistive technology decision-making adoption patterns. These findings aim to support the adoption of assistive technologies by older adults to facilitate engagement in meaningful activities, enable social participation within the community, and promote health and well-being in later life.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/82687
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Ageing Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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