Digital divide and life satisfaction in older adults: Evidence from a baseline survey of mHealth app users in Hong Kong

Abstract

Purpose Digital health technologies, including mHealth applications, hold great potential for promoting healthy aging among older adults. However, the persistent issue of the digital health divide, characterized by varying technology adoption leading to unequal health and wellbeing outcomes, poses a barrier to harnessing the full benefits of these technologies. This study explores the impact of the digital divide on life satisfaction among older social services users in Hong Kong. Method This study draws from the baseline survey of a quasi-experimental multi-center panel investigation that evaluates the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention. Participants aged 60 and above were recruited from six NGOs in Hong Kong, assessing their levels of life satisfaction (LS), self-care selfefficacy (SCSE), health and wellbeing (HWB), and technology acceptance and competence (TAM-LR and TAM-ICT), along with socioeconomic and demographic information. Results Between April and August 2023, 231 social service users (average age=79.28, SD=8.5, 76.1% female, 23.8% male) participated. Results revealed that female participants, individuals with no formal education, the oldest-old, and those not cohabiting with their spouse had lower ICT competence compared to their counterparts. Additionally, the oldest-old participants showed less acceptance of mHealth technologies than their younger counterparts. Findings indicated that participants’ enhanced self-care self-efficacy contributes to better health and wellbeing, consequently elevating their life satisfaction. Furthermore, TAM-LR and TAM-ICT played a moderating role in the mediation between SCSE, HWB, and LS, suggesting that participants with higher technological acceptance and competence perceiving heightened self-efficacy in self-care, which positively impacts health and wellbeing, thereby fostering greater life satisfaction. Conclusion The extent of technology acceptance and competence emerges as a crucial predictor of improved health, wellbeing, and life satisfaction for older adults in Hong Kong. The study underscores the importance of facilitating the equitable adoption of mHealth technologies among older adults. Implications for health and social services will be drawn.