The Digital Divide and urban older adults.

Computers and the Internet offer older adults opportunities and resources for independent living. However, many urban older adults do not use computers. This study examined the demographic, health, and social activities of urban older adults to determine variables that might predict the use and nonuse of computers in this population. A secondary data analysis was performed using the 2001 Detroit City-Wide Needs Assessment of Older Adults (n = 1410) data set. Logistic regression was used to explore potential differences in predictor variables between computer users and nonusers. Overall, computer users were younger (27%), had a higher level of education, were more likely to be employed, had an annual income greater than $20,000, and were healthier and more active than nonusers. They also were more likely to have memberships in community organizations and do volunteer work. Preferred computer activities included conducting Internet searches, playing games, writing, and communicating with family members and friends. The results suggest significant differences in demographic and health-related characteristics between computer users and nonusers among urban older adults. Although about a quarter of participants in this study used computers, the Digital Divide continues to exist in urban settings for scores of others.

Age, pain, and coping with rheumatoid arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of age and pain severity (i.e. mild versus severe pain) in predicting coping strategies of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). An age-stratified sample (N = 121) of individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis completed a modified version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). Individuals were asked to report the coping strategies used for mild versus severe pain. Findings included: (1) older adults were more likely than younger adults to report use of maladaptive coping strategies in the context of mild, but not severe, RA pain, (2) older adults' reported patterns of coping reflected less-than-anticipated expertise in dealing with RA pain, and (3) individuals, regardless of age, reported use of more active coping strategies in the context of mild pain and use of more maladaptive coping strategies in the context of severe pain. The present study suggests that research regarding illness and coping is most informative when it captures the individual-situational interaction of dealing with stressors such as chronic pain.