A New Tool for Assessing Older Adults' Wireless Network Proficiency: The Wireless Network Proficiency Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Information Science

Background:

• Information communication technologies (ICTs) rely heavily on wireless network proficiency.
• Older adults may face barriers to ICT adoption due to lower wireless network skills.
• Assessing wireless network proficiency is crucial for digital inclusion among seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reliability and validity of tools measuring wireless network proficiency in older adults.
• To introduce the Wireless Network Proficiency Questionnaire (WNPQ) and its short-form (WNPQ-8).
• To examine the relationship between wireless network proficiency and other digital skills.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 203 older adults participated in the study.
• The Wireless Network Proficiency Questionnaire (WNPQ; 19 items) and WNPQ-8 (8 items) were administered.
• Reliability and validity were assessed using statistical analyses, including correlations.

Main Results:

• The WNPQ and WNPQ-8 demonstrated good reliability and validity.
• Proficiency scores positively correlated with computer proficiency (r = .63) and mobile device proficiency (r = .75).
• WNPQ scores predicted the ability to recall Wi-Fi credentials (OR = 1.17-1.73) and were negatively related to age (r = -.21).

Conclusions:

• The WNPQ is a reliable and valid measure for assessing wireless network proficiency in older adults.
• This tool can aid in identifying individuals needing support with wireless technologies.
• The WNPQ can facilitate targeted training and proficiency assessment in research settings.