Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea

Frontiers in Public Health

Public Health

Weihong Zeng¹  Pianpian Zhao¹  Yanke Tong¹  Sujin Park² 

[1] Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China;Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China;Technology Management, Economics and Policy Program, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea;

关键词: mental health;    older adults;    ICT accessibility;    COVID-19;    South Korea;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126900

 received in 2022-12-18, accepted in 2023-09-01,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionAs society ages and the digital economy continues to develop, accessibility to information and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as a critical factor influencing the mental health of older adults. Particularly, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for non-face-to-face communication has significantly increased older adults’ reliance on ICT for accessibility. This transition from a self-motivated engagement to a more socially passive mode of interaction highlights the importance of creating a digitally inclusive aging society.MethodsThis empirical study used pooled cross-sectional data from the Digital Gap Survey conducted in South Korea in 2018 and 2020. It aimed to analyze the association between ICT accessibility and the mental health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA significant positive relationship was found between ICT and mental health among older adults in South Korea. However, this positive association weakened during the COVID-19 period. Furthermore, the analysis revealed heterogeneity among older adults by age, sex, and place of residence, with older females in their 70s living in rural areas experiencing the greatest weakening.DiscussionThese results highlight the need for tailored interventions and support mechanisms for specific demographic groups of older adults. We recommend that the South Korean government implement various policies to facilitate the post-COVID-19 digital landscape. These include initiatives such as ICT-related education programs, development of user-friendly e-government systems, and creation of social media platforms designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of older adults.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Park, Zeng, Zhao and Tong.