Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea
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-...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126900/full |
| _version_ | 1797674013419372544 |
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| author | Sujin Park Sujin Park Weihong Zeng Pianpian Zhao Yanke Tong |
| author_facet | Sujin Park Sujin Park Weihong Zeng Pianpian Zhao Yanke Tong |
| author_sort | Sujin Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T21:54:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c2733aee09f740b782fa9ad790c9f699 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T21:54:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-c2733aee09f740b782fa9ad790c9f6992023-09-26T05:59:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-09-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.11269001126900Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South KoreaSujin Park0Sujin Park1Weihong Zeng2Pianpian Zhao3Yanke Tong4Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaTechnology Management, Economics and Policy Program, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaJinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaJinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaJinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaIntroductionAs 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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126900/fullmental healtholder adultsICT accessibilityCOVID-19South Korea |
| spellingShingle | Sujin Park Sujin Park Weihong Zeng Pianpian Zhao Yanke Tong Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea Frontiers in Public Health mental health older adults ICT accessibility COVID-19 South Korea |
| title | Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea |
| title_full | Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea |
| title_short | Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea |
| title_sort | information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in south korea |
| topic | mental health older adults ICT accessibility COVID-19 South Korea |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126900/full |
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