Contrasting Internet Adoption in Early and Advanced Old Age: Does Internet Self-Efficacy Matter?

OBJECTIVES: Understanding why older adults (including those in very old age) use or do not use the Internet can build on the technology acceptance model (TAM). In this cross-sectional study, we translate the TAM to the Internet and assume that perceived usefulness of the Internet (PUI) and perceived ease of use of the Internet (PEUI) will be revealed as major predictors of behavioral intention to use the Internet (BII). Additionally, we consider the role of Internet self-efficacy (ISE) as another major factor for older adults' Internet use. We also argue that life phase, particularly early as opposed to advanced old age, may moderate how PUI, PEUI, and ISE relate to BII. METHODS: A sample of 1,200 older adults aged 60 years and older (60-74 years, n = 658; 75-99 years, n = 542) was randomly drawn from the city of Stuttgart, Germany. Sociodemographic variables and major indicators of TAM and ISE were assessed based on a computer-assisted telephone interviewing procedure. RESULTS: Latent structural equation modeling revealed that PUI is the more important predictor of BII in older adults. Furthermore, ISE revealed statistically meaningful positive links with PUI, PEUI, and BII. Multigroup comparison revealed that PUI had a stronger linkage with BII in early old age, whereas ISE was more important for BII in advanced old age. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that ISE may enrich the network of TAM constructs among older adults in general but specifically in advanced old age.

Generation Y: Do millennials need a partner to be happy?

INTRODUCTION: Empirical evidence on Ronald Inglehart's theory of value change shows that subsequent generations show a decline in values of physical and economic security (materialism) in favor of an increase in values of self-expression and autonomy (postmaterialism). METHODS: We investigate in a pre-registered study whether Inglehart's theory also applies to partnership, such that millennials think less that they need a partner to be happy. We used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study on 4540 17-year-olds from 16 birth cohorts. RESULTS: Results show that adolescents' estimated importance of a romantic partner for personal happiness decreases on average with each subsequent birth cohort. Further significant predictors were socialization and relationship status of the parents, birth year of the father, as well as education and sex of the adolescent. Socioeconomic status and education level of the parents and birth year of the mother were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide initial evidence that as society becomes more individualized, even personal happiness is increasingly seen as independent of significant others. Ronald Inglehart's theory of value change, however, seems to have only limited applicability as an explanatory model for this development.