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Self-perceived information needs and concerns of elderly persons.
R A Jones1, G D Morrow, B R Morris
1Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville 32216.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1992
Summary
This study identified three key dimensions for understanding elderly information needs: quality of life versus necessities, health versus non-health topics, and individual versus societal responsibility.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Information Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Elderly individuals have unique information needs and concerns.
- Understanding these needs is crucial for targeted support and interventions.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the underlying structure of these needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the fundamental dimensions of self-perceived information needs and concerns in an elderly population.
- To provide a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of information seeking in later life.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 271 letters spontaneously expressing needs and concerns from elderly individuals.
- Application of multidimensional scaling to represent 58 frequently mentioned items.
- Regression analysis using ratings from 176 elderly subjects to interpret the dimensions.
Main Results:
- Three primary dimensions emerged: (1) Quality of Life vs. Necessities of Life, (2) Health-related vs. Non-Health-related, and (3) Individual vs. Societal Responsibility.
- These dimensions offer a parsimonious understanding of the complex information landscape for older adults.
Conclusions:
- The identified dimensions provide a robust framework for characterizing elderly information needs.
- This research can inform the development of more effective information services and health communication strategies for seniors.