Information and communication technology use, social support, and life satisfaction among Korean immigrant elders /

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This cross-sectional study aimed to explore 1) ICT use (email, smart phone, internet, and social networking sites), 2) differences in ICT use between younger (age 60-70) and older (71+) groups, 3) relationship between ICT use and social support, and 4) relationship between ICT use and life satisfaction among KIEs. By utilizing face-to-face interview and purposive sampling methods, 150 community dwelling KIEs in California, Missouri, and Kansas were surveyed. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses (t-test and correlation matrix), and hierarchical multiple regression were employed to address four research questions and test three hypotheses. The findings indicated that KIEs with higher education and higher income utilized ICT more than their counterparts. Younger KIEs utilized ICT significantly more than older KIEs. Smart phone and social networking site (SNS) use were significantly associated to social support and SNS use was a significant indicator to life satisfaction among KIEs. The findings provide important insights for social work practitioners, researchers, or health care providers to educate or support KIEs for improving social support system and psychological health/well-being by developing technology supported psychosocial interventions.