Life after lockdown: The experiences of older adults in a contactless digital world

Morrison, Benjamin, Nicholson, James, Wood, Becca and Briggs, Pamela (2023) Life after lockdown: The experiences of older adults in a contactless digital world. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. p. 1100521. ISSN 1664-1078

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1100521

Abstract

Introduction: The digital response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its effects on the lives of older adults has been well-documented, but less is known about how they experienced the post-lockdown re-emergence into a relatively contactless digital society.

Methods: We report the findings from a qualitative survey (n = 93) and subsequent interviews (n = 9) with older adults aged 50+, where they describe their struggles with some of the newly implemented digital interactions. These struggles cover a range of settings but include using contactless payments, QR codes and apps to facilitate transactions in cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Results: A thematic analysis of our data revealed the intrinsic (e.g. digital literacy) and extrinsic (e.g. malfunctioning technology) factors that limited social inclusion for these participants, and that sometimes even led to moments of public humiliation.

Discussion: Our findings shed light on some of the motivational factors that underpin the age-related digital divide, whilst also highlighting the role of self-directed agism in limiting motivations to learn new digital routines.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding information: This project contributes towards the EPSRC funded Centre of Digital Citizens [Grant number: EP/T022582/1].
Uncontrolled Keywords: aging, older adults, technology, COVID-19, digital exclusion, digital divide
Subjects: C800 Psychology
G500 Information Systems
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Computer and Information Sciences
Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Elena Carlaw
Date Deposited: 13 Jan 2023 13:02
Last Modified: 13 Jan 2023 13:15
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/51163

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