The study explores the relationship between reasons for Internet use and problematic Internet use in older adults, contributing to an understanding of the psychosocial factors that influence the digital experience in old age.
The research will collect data on Internet use, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, social participation, ageism, and resilience, among other psychosocial factors. It is based on theoretical frameworks such as Davis’s (2001) behavioral-cognitive model and Kardefelt-Winther’s (2014) theory of compensatory Internet use, which allow us to understand how connecting to the Internet can become a coping strategy for psychological distress.
This proposal is a pioneering contribution to the intersection between aging and the use of digital devices, addressing a phenomenon that has been virtually unexplored in this population. The results are expected to contribute to the design of policies and interventions that promote healthy Internet use in old age.
The principal investigator is Javiera Rosell.
