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‘That's for old so and so's!’: does identity influence older adults’ technology adoption decisions?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2019

Arlene J. Astell ,
Colleen McGrath  and
Erica Dove Open the ORCID record for Erica Dove [Opens in a new window]
Arlene J. Astell
Affiliation:
Research and Academics, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ontario, Canada Occupational Sciences and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Colleen McGrath
Affiliation:
School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Erica Dove*
Affiliation:
Research and Academics, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ontario, Canada Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
*
*Corresponding author. Email: erica.dove@mail.utoronto.ca
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Abstract

The role of identity in older adults’ decision-making about assistive technology adoption has been suggested but not fully explored. This scoping review was conducted to understand better how older adults’ self-image and their desire to maintain this influence their decision-making processes regarding assistive technology adoption. Using the five-stage scoping review framework by Arksey and O'Malley, a total of 416 search combinations were run across nine databases, resulting in a final yield of 49 articles. From these 49 articles, five themes emerged: (a) resisting the negative reality of an ageing and/or disabled identity; (b) independence and control are key; (c) the aesthetic dimension of usability; (d) assistive technology as a last resort; and (e) privacy versus pragmatics. The findings highlight the importance of older adults’ desire to portray an identity consistent with independence, self-reliance and competence, and how this desire directly impacts their assistive technology decision-making adoption patterns. These findings aim to support the adoption of assistive technologies by older adults to facilitate engagement in meaningful activities, enable social participation within the community, and promote health and wellbeing in later life.

Keywords

identityself-imagedecision-makingtechnology adoption
Type
Review Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 40 , Issue 7 , July 2020 , pp. 1550 - 1576
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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