scholarly journals Psychological Barriers to Digital Living in Older Adults: Computer Anxiety as Predictive Mechanism for Technophobia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Di Giacomo ◽  
Jessica Ranieri ◽  
Meny D’Amico ◽  
Federica Guerra ◽  
Domenico Passafiume

This study aimed to investigate the emotional impact of technology use in an Italian adult population and to detect technophobia. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 117 Italian participants (age range of 50–67 years). Measured variables were computer anxiety and technology use ability. The results revealed technophobia features in the Italian adult population related to inadequate management of technology. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni’s post-hoc analysis showed that non-autonomous (p < 0.01), low-frequency (p < 0.01), and feeling-a-need-for-help users (p < 0.01) had higher levels of computer anxiety. Based on our data, although lifelong learning is a powerful digital need, a considerable proportion of the adult population is not digitally skilled, enlarging the gap between young (native digital) and adult (digital and non-digital adults and seniors) populations. Adult inclusivity in digital living is inadequate and likely affects their quality of life. Thus, our findings highlight technophobia as a possible new risk factor for Italian adults because it can affect their daily life through low adherence to digital living; rather than aging successfully, they could develop fragile aging.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Di Giacomo ◽  
Federica Guerra ◽  
Enrico Perilli ◽  
Jessica Ranieri

Digital innovation changed the daily living impacting Quality of Life of individuals. Our study was focused on adult and elder behavioural approach to the technology. Out study aimed to investigate the impact of technology use in not digital native in order to investigate the behavioural degree of adaptation. An observational study was conducted on adult and old subjects (age range 50–67 years) measuring computer anxiety and technology use ability variables identifying the indexes for technophobia risk in digital living. Not digital native subjects and more older ones appeared being influenced by technophobia features because of feeling themselves as inadequate in the management of technology. Oneway ANOVA and then Bonferroni’s post-hoc analysis showed that non-autonomous (p<0.01), low-frequency (p<0.01), and feelingneed- for-help users (p<0.01) had higher levels of computer anxiety. No significant effect was in gender distribution. Finally, social networking seems related better use of technology and lower anxiety for digital solutions. Our findings highlight technophobia as a possible new risk factor for not digital native because it can affect their daily life through lower adherence to digital solutions; rather than aging successfully, they could develop fragile ageing. More, they seemed inadequate to use the digital solutions for better living in aging.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e051572
Author(s):  
Juan Gómez-Salgado ◽  
Sara Domínguez-Salas ◽  
Carmen Rodríguez-Domínguez ◽  
Regina Allande-Cussó ◽  
Macarena Romero-Martín ◽  
...  

ObjectiveCOVID-19 disease has affected more than a hundred countries worldwide and has exposed the population to an increase in mental health problems. The objective of this study was to assess the emotional impact of the pandemic from a gender perspective, as well as to study the modulating variables of that impact.DesignA descriptive and cross-sectional study through the General Health Questionnaire scale and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale is developed.SettingGeneral population of Spain was the target of this studyParticipantsThe sample consisted of 3801 adult subjects living in Spain, without diagnosis for Sars-Cov-2 virus infection during confinement.InterventionData collection was carried out using an online questionnaire, from 26 March 2020 to 26 April 2020.Primary and secondary outcomes measuresA sample profile description was obtained, regarding to the study variables. Later, a regression model was implemented in order to test the relationship between these variables, and to achieve a predictive model of psychological discomfort controlling the gender variable.ResultsThe results showed that women, as compared with men, had increased psychological discomfort during confinement (t=−12.877; p<0.001; d=0.470). In contrast, significantly higher scores were observed on the SOC scale (t=6.336; p<0.001; d=0.231) in men, as compared with those obtained by women.ConclusionsWomen have higher levels of psychological discomfort, increased concern about getting infected with COVID-19 and infecting others, as well as a lower level of SOC and perceived health. In addition, low levels of SOC predict greater concern about contagion and increased psychological discomfort.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245465
Author(s):  
Antonija Poplas Susič ◽  
Zalika Klemenc-Ketiš ◽  
Rok Blagus ◽  
Nina Ružić Gorenjec

Background Independence in daily activities is defined as the ability to perform functions related to daily living, i.e. the capacity of living independently in the community with little or no help from others. Objective We focused on non-attenders as a subgroup of patients whose health status is not well known to family practice teams. Our goal was to estimate the prevalence of dependence and its severity level in the daily activities of patients, and to determine the factors that are associated with the occurrence of dependence. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Settings and participants Data was obtained in family medicine settings. Participants in the study were adults living in the community (aged 18 or over) who had not visited their chosen family physician in the last 5 years (non-attenders) and who were able to participate in the study. Through the electronic system, we identified 2,025 non-attenders. Community nurses collected data in the participants’ homes. The outcome measure was dependence in daily activities, assessed through eight items: personal hygiene; eating and drinking; mobility; dressing and undressing; urination and defecation; continence; avoiding hazards in the environment; and communication. Results The final sample consisted of 1,999 patients (98.7% response rate). The mean age was 59.9 (range 20 to 99). Dependence in daily activities was determined in 466 or 23.3% (95% CI: [21.5, 25.2]) of the patients. Older patients (over 60 years), with at least one chronic disease, increased risk of falling, moderate feelings of loneliness and a lower self-assessment of health were statistically significantly more likely to be dependent in their daily activities, according to our multivariate model. Conclusions A considerable proportion of family practice non-attenders were found to be dependent in daily activities, though at a low level. We identified several factors associated with this dependence. This could help to identify people at risk of being dependent in daily activities in the general adult population, and enable specific interventions that would improve their health status.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-280
Author(s):  
Veruska Prado Alexandre ◽  
Maria do Rosário Gondim Peixoto ◽  
Bethsáida de Abreu Soares Schmitz ◽  
Erly Catarina de Moura

This cross-sectional study identified the factors associated with adult feeding practices in Goiânia, the capital of the state of Goiás, in the Midwestern region of Brazil, by means of telephone interviews with 2,002 adults (> 18 years old). Information about demographic aspects, lifestyle, nutritional status, and food consumption was collected, leading to a sum of healthy food choices. It was observed that men and women have an average of two healthy food choices and low frequency of fruit intake (5.4% of men; 8.5% of women), as well as the consumption of legumes and vegetables (18.1% of men; 22.6% of women). The hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the mean healthy food choice among men increases with age and physical practice, and among women, with paid work. The prevalence of unhealthy food choices associated with other risk behaviors favors the development of chronic diseases. Multi-strategy and intersectorial actions are necessary to overcome this situation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-198
Author(s):  
Heiko Haase ◽  
Arndt Lautenschläger

AbstractThe paper aims at exploring determinants of the university students' intentions to stay within their university region. At this, we presume that students' career choice motivations are related to their professional intentions, which again, along with demographic characteristics, affect their migration decision. Our analysis is based on a cross-sectional study of 2,353 students from three different higher education institutions, two of them located in Germany and one in Namibia. Results indicate that in Germany migration matters because a considerable proportion of students intend to leave the university region after graduation. At this, we found that the students' geographical provenance exerts the most significant effect on the intention to stay. Moreover, certain professional intentions were directly and some career choice motivations were indirectly linked with the intention to remain at the university location. We present several conclusions and implications.


Author(s):  
Kate Emond ◽  
Melanie Bish ◽  
Michael Savic ◽  
Dan I. Lubman ◽  
Terence McCann ◽  
...  

Mental-health-related presentations account for a considerable proportion of the paramedic’s workload in prehospital care. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceived confidence and preparedness of paramedics in Australian metropolitan and rural areas to manage mental-health-related presentations. Overall, 1140 paramedics were surveyed. Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables by sex and location of practice; continuous variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Perceived confidence and preparedness were each modelled in multivariable ordinal regressions. Female paramedics were younger with higher qualifications but were less experienced than their male counterparts. Compared to paramedics working in metropolitan regions, those working in rural and regional areas were generally older with fewer qualifications and were significantly less confident and less prepared to manage mental health presentations (p = 0.001). Compared to male paramedics, females were less confident (p = 0.003), although equally prepared (p = 0.1) to manage mental health presentations. These results suggest that higher qualifications from the tertiary sector may not be adequately preparing paramedics to manage mental health presentations, which signifies a disparity between education provided and workforce preparedness. Further work is required to address the education and training requirements of paramedics in regional and rural areas to increase confidence and preparedness in managing mental health presentations.


Author(s):  
Elin Hadler‐Olsen ◽  
Elizabeth Thon ◽  
Gro Eirin Holde ◽  
Birgitta Jönsson ◽  
Nils Oscarson ◽  
...  

Obesity Facts ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Claudia Pileggi ◽  
Rosa Papadopoli ◽  
Caterina De Sarro ◽  
Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile ◽  
Maria Pavia

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Several studies in the adult population have shown that obesity is an independent risk factor for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), whereas data in the paediatric population are sparse and controversial. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and IOP in healthy school children. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The survey was conducted among a random sample of 8-year-old Italian students. Data were collected on their health status and behaviours related to obesity (physical activity, food and drinking habits, etc.). Physical examinations, conducted at school, included measurements of height, weight, BP, and IOP. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five hundred and seventy-six subjects were recruited (92.8% response rate); 42.4% were overweight or obese, 58.9% consumed inadequate daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and 87.5% were involved in sedentary activities. Elevated BP/hypertension (HTN) affected 3.6% and high IOP was revealed in 12.5% of the children. In the multivariate analysis, elevated BP/HTN was the only significant determinant of ocular HTN (OR 5.36, 95% CI 1.95–14.73, <i>p</i> = 0.001). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results show that high IOP affects 12.5% of 8-year-old school children and appears to be associated with high BP related to a high BMI.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document