Presentation
Measuring Technology's Impact on the Perception of Autonomy and Dignity in Older Adults: A Scale Development
SessionMethods (DH6)
DescriptionThe constructs of autonomy and dignity are crucial components of an older adult's mental well-being (Lothian & Philp, 2001). The central focus of this presentation is to present the results of a study aimed at comprehending how technology influences an older adult's perception of autonomy and dignity. It's important to note that technology can positively or negatively impact an older adult's feelings of autonomy and dignity due to various stigmas that surround the use of technology.
Still, one critical issue we address is the lack of measurement tools designed to capture the interactions between technology and perceptions of autonomy and dignity within the older adult population. This is because existing assessments of older adults’ use of technology often center on functional abilities and health outcomes, overlooking the multifaceted nature of autonomy and dignity.
The research methodology for this study involves item generation and preliminary validation. The items were then assessed using a survey involving 60 older adults aged 65 and older. The purpose was to explore the underlying factors related to technology disuse, focusing on the Amazon Echo. This presentation will provide an overview of the scale development process. It will emphasize the importance of developing a measure to capture the interactions between technology, autonomy, and dignity in older adults. The study's results contribute to a growing body of literature seeking to improve technology's usability and accessibility for older adults.
The key takeaway points of this presentation include:
1) Autonomy and dignity are essential to older adults' quality of life.
2) Existing measures often overlook the multidimensional nature of autonomy and dignity, necessitating the development of a comprehensive assessment tool.
3) Researchers should aim to understand the role of these constructs to inform the design of products and systems that foster positive feelings that improve the perception of autonomy and dignity in older adults.
By understanding the impact of technology on autonomy and dignity, designers and marketers can create more appealing and stigma-reducing products, ultimately improving the user experience.
Still, one critical issue we address is the lack of measurement tools designed to capture the interactions between technology and perceptions of autonomy and dignity within the older adult population. This is because existing assessments of older adults’ use of technology often center on functional abilities and health outcomes, overlooking the multifaceted nature of autonomy and dignity.
The research methodology for this study involves item generation and preliminary validation. The items were then assessed using a survey involving 60 older adults aged 65 and older. The purpose was to explore the underlying factors related to technology disuse, focusing on the Amazon Echo. This presentation will provide an overview of the scale development process. It will emphasize the importance of developing a measure to capture the interactions between technology, autonomy, and dignity in older adults. The study's results contribute to a growing body of literature seeking to improve technology's usability and accessibility for older adults.
The key takeaway points of this presentation include:
1) Autonomy and dignity are essential to older adults' quality of life.
2) Existing measures often overlook the multidimensional nature of autonomy and dignity, necessitating the development of a comprehensive assessment tool.
3) Researchers should aim to understand the role of these constructs to inform the design of products and systems that foster positive feelings that improve the perception of autonomy and dignity in older adults.
By understanding the impact of technology on autonomy and dignity, designers and marketers can create more appealing and stigma-reducing products, ultimately improving the user experience.
Event Type
Oral Presentations
TimeTuesday, March 261:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
LocationSalon A-2
Digital Health