Explaining the Consumption Technology Acceptance in the Elderly Post-Pandemic: Effort Expectancy Does Not Matter

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Sociology of Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased consumer technology adoption, with a notable rise among the elderly population.
• Understanding the diverse acceptance patterns of consumer technology among older adults is crucial for a data-driven digital society.
• Social networking sites (SNS) represent a key area of consumer technology for elderly engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acceptance of social networking sites among the post-pandemic elderly population in Chile.
• To analyze how technological predisposition and generational cohorts influence consumer technology acceptance.
• To identify key factors driving or hindering SNS adoption in older adults.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative study involving 1555 older adults in Chile.
• Utilized a consumer technology acceptance model framework.
• Employed multigroup analysis via structural equation modeling to compare different generational and technological predisposition groups.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found in the explanatory variables for intention and use of SNS across the three analyzed groups.
• Effort expectancy was not a statistically significant factor in explaining global acceptance of SNS among any of the elderly groups.
• Generational cohorts and technological predisposition significantly moderate the acceptance of consumer technology.

Conclusions:

• The study provides insights into why older adults adopt consumer technology post-pandemic.
• A validated classification of elderly adults using consumer technology aids in understanding the heterogeneity of adoption phenomena.
• Tailored strategies considering generational differences and technological predispositions are needed to enhance elderly technology adoption.