Predictors of electronic bulletin board system use in older adults

Recent studies indicate that altitudes toward computers are improved in older adults following brief training sessions (G. Jay & S. L. Willis, 1992; R. W. Morrell, D. C. Park, C. B. Mayhorn, & R. V. Echt, 1996a; E. Zandri & N. Charness, 1989). In the present research, the utility of the attitude construct as a predictor of computer use is explored. Thirty-nine older adults were trained to use the ELDERCOMM electronic bulletin board system (R. W. Morrell, D. C. Park, C. B. Mayhorn, & R. V. Echt, 1996b), and they were then given the opportunity to use the system as often as they liked over a 2-month participation interval. Participants in the study had more positive attitudes toward computers than an unselected group of older adults, and the most positive attitudes were found in the group who returned to use the bulletin board frequently during the participation interval. However, the most important predictor of continued use of the system is success at initial training. Age, education, and income did not predict continued use of the system, despite strong effects of these variables on computer adoption in national samples (U.S. Census Bureau, 1984, 1989, 1993). It is suggested that these variables reflect opportunity rather than desire to use computers. As in previous research, brief training serves to improve attitudes toward computers. No effects of computer training on psychosocial and emotional adjustment variables such as depression, anxiety, and self-esteem are found. These results are discussed with respect to efforts designed to induce older adults to use computers with greater frequency.