A Computer Communication Training for Reducing Loneliness in Older Adults: Expanding from a Pilot Test

Background and Purpose:

Many of risk factors for loneliness increase with age (e.g. hearing loss, increased chronic illness, and decreased mobility). Loneliness is a malady which can lead to severe social, mental, and physical problems including self-esteem issues, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular problems. Loneliness in older adults is a societal issue as older adults use a high proportion of heath care resources.

This study focused on the creation of a course taught to lonely older adults which on various types of computer-mediated communication. It was thought that an increased use of computer-mediated communication would lead to a decrease in loneliness among the participants. This course was adapted based on the results of previous research. Improvements were made based on the results of a pilot test was previously conducted on this six-class course including the following topics: Introduction to computer-mediated communication, email, microblogging: Twitter, social networking sites: Facebook, video chat and instant messaging, and online safety.

This study examined research questions relating to the efficacy of the course in increasing computer-mediated communication use among older adults:

1. Is computer-mediated communication training followed by an increased the use of computer-mediated communication by older adults?
2. Is computer-mediated communication training followed by improved computer self-efficacy in older adults?

Methods:

Twenty-nine older adults participated in a pretest-posttest, pre-experimental study. Both research questions were analyzed using a paired samples t-test.

Results:

Participants showed a significant increase in computer-mediated communication use from pretest to posttest. A paired samples t-test shows that the difference between the means was significant (t (28) = -4.553, p < .001) with a large effect (r = 0.65). Participant computer self-efficacy scores were significantly higher at posttest among lonely older adults. A paired samples t-test shows that the difference between the means was significant (t (29) = -4.046, p < .001) with a large effect (r = 0.60).

Conclusions and Implications:

The hypothesis was supported for both analyses. Participants experienced a significant improvement in computer self-efficacy between pretest and posttest, and an increase in computer-mediated communication use. This indicates that the intervention may have been effective in improving participant knowledge of CMC techniques and increasing participant confidence in their use.