R. V. Rikard

Access is not enough: the impact of emotional costs and self-efficacy on the changes in African-American students’ ICT use patterns

ABSTRACT Previous research has examined the impact of computing interventions to reduce digital inequity. However, few studies focus on factors such as inequalities to material access, Internet use patterns, and affective or emotional anxiety. This paper investigates the potential role of emotional costs and computer self-efficacy in the connection between computer use at home and students’ computer use patterns. Data for this research come from pretest and posttest surveys administered to fourth- and fifth-grade African-American students. The results reveal that students’ home computer use is a significant predictor of the change in their information and entertainment usage over the course of the intervention. Students’ emotional costs partially mediate the relationship between home computer use and information-oriented usage over the intervention period. The findings suggest that providing students access to digital devices is not enough to close the digital divide.

When It Comes to Depression, ICT Use Matters: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Effect of ICT Use and Mattering on Depression Among Older Adults

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide numerous benefits to older adults’ well-being, such as reducing feelings of depression. Previous studies show that ICTs are effective in promoting a sense of mattering, which has also been inversely related to feelings of depression. Our analysis examines the effect ICTs have on older adults’ sense of mattering and, ultimately, depression. We examine these relationships through longitudinal regression and the Sobel-Goodman Mediation Tests. Our results show that the effect of ICT use on depression among older adults is partially mediated by mattering over time.

Invaluable values: an expectancy-value theory analysis of youths’ academic motivations and intentions

ABSTRACT While Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields have increased in importance over the past decade, minorities have remained traditionally underrepresented in these fields. In this study we seek to better understand some of the factors that might contribute to or potentially mitigate early STEM pipeline leaks, specifically, high school graduation and college entrance leaks. Student interest formed in the early school years has an impact on future course selections and persistence in school. These choices can have long-term repercussions on the future career options and the financial security of students. We apply expectancy-value theory (EVT) in order to examine the factors that may influence students’ motivations and intentions to complete high school and attend college. Specifically, we investigate if EVT can help to explain change in students’ academic intentions and motivations after a computing intervention. We hypothesize that changes in students’ expectancies for success and subjective task values will be positively associated with changes in students’ intentions and motivations to persist in academia. Data were gathered from a sample of elementary students within an urban, high poverty, and predominately minority school district located in the southeastern USA. Changes in students’ expectancies for success and subjective task values over the course of the intervention played an important role in students’ academic motivations and intentions to both finish high school and attend college. These findings demonstrate that EVT is useful in explaining general academic motivations in young children, which could potentially increase the structural integrity of the STEM pipeline.

Signing off: Predicting discontinued ICT usage among older adults in assisted and independent living: A survival analysis

While previous research examining digital inequality among older adults has exposed factors that prevent older adults from using information and communication technologies (ICTs), less has been done focusing on factors that may contribute to ICT discontinuation. This investigation uses data from a randomized controlled intervention study to examine possible predictors of discontinued ICT usage among older adults in assisted and independent living communities. Survival analysis shows that participating in a non-technology activities intervention can increase the odds of stopping the use of ICTs over time. In addition, an increase in the number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) an individual needs assistance with was associated with increased odds of discontinuing ICT use. Results suggest that those promoting continued usage of ICTs among older adults in assisted and independent living need to address the social activities that may prevent use and account for the increasing frailty of residents over time.

The emotional costs of computers: an expectancy-value theory analysis of predominantly low-socioeconomic status minority students’ STEM attitudes

ABSTRACT There is a strong push to increase American students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) careers. However, minority and female students remain underrepresented in the STEM fields. Therefore, it is essential that we continue to examine the potential factors that both incite and dissuade STEM interest. We apply Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT) to examine STEM attitudes of predominantly low-socioeconomic status minority elementary school students over the course of a computing intervention. Furthermore, we integrate the digital inequality mental access conceptualization of ‘emotional costs’ into the EVT model in order to predict students’ negative STEM attitudes. Data are from a large-scale computing intervention that took place in a primarily minority, high poverty, urban elementary school district located in the southeastern USA. Results indicate that positive expectancies for success and subjective task values predict students’ positive STEM attitudes. Emotional costs toward technology primarily predict negative STEM attitudes. Students’ expectancies/values and emotional costs may have a ‘push-and-pull’ effect on the formation of STEM attitudes. This study successfully links digital disparities to STEM disparities by integrating the digital inequality concept of emotional costs. Practically, we conclude that future computing interventions should increase students’ academic-related expectancies and values while also minimizing their emotional costs in order to address both digital and STEM inequalities. Theoretically, we conclude that broad conceptualizations of emotional costs should be included in future studies to help explain negative attitudes/motivations toward STEM-related topics.

Individual difference predictors of ICT use in older adulthood: A study of 17 candidate characteristics

Abstract Given the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) use in older adulthood, a natural question is which individual difference characteristics predict ICT use and adoption. Research has provided mixed findings drawn from studies that generally focus on a narrow set of ICTs, a narrow set of individual difference constructs, and younger adults. Using data from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, we examined 17 individual difference predictors of ICT use among older adults. Need for cognition, perceived mastery, and optimism positively predicted ICT use after controlling for all the constructs simultaneously; cynical hostility also emerged as a negative predictor of ICT use. Further, viewing more benefits of ICT use explained why those high in need for cognition used more ICTs. Directions for future research include examining the processes that link individual differences to ICT use and its subsequent benefits during the second half of life.

A Tale of Two Divides: Technology Experiences Among Racially and Socioeconomically Diverse Older Adults

Using information and communication technologies (ICTs) can improve older adults’ overall well-being and can be a catalyst for social integration and inclusion into society. While older adults are often compared to other age cohorts, based on previous digital divide research, there may be a significant amount of variation within older adult populations with regards to their ICT experiences, attitudes, and uses. Our study seeks to explore the potential gap by examining and comparing ICT uses, views, and experiences among older adults from diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Four semi-structured focus groups (n = 40) were conducted with older adults from two separate cities in Mid-Michigan in the United States: Greater Lansing area and Detroit. Our findings reveal that older adults’ experiences, uses, and perceptions about ICTs differ down racial and socio-economic lines. Our study demonstrates that there are potential sub-divides within traditionally digitally divided populations.

The Physical–Digital Divide: Exploring the Social Gap Between Digital Natives and Physical Natives:

Older adults are the most digitally divided demographic group. The present study explores how older adults perceive the physical use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly across generations and contexts. Data for the present study come from nine focus groups. Seniors acknowledge that ICTs help them connect with geographically distant social ties, but that they lead to feelings of disconnection with geographically close social ties. We label this phenomenon the “physical–digital divide,” which exists when a group feels ostracized or offended when those around them engage with ICTs while they themselves are not or cannot engage with ICTs. Younger generations are often referred to as “digital natives” and older generations as “digital immigrants.” A more apt label for older adults may be “physical natives,” as their preferred method of communication involves physical face-to-face interactions and traditional codes of etiquette. Suggestions are made for reducing the physical–digital divide.

Disrupted copresence: Older adults’ views on mobile phone use during face-to-face interactions

This study investigates older adults’ perceptions of mobile phone use during face-to-face interactions and social gatherings. Data were derived from 9 semistructured focus group interviews. Study participants were older adult residents of Michigan, US (N = 77). Focus groups were held in both urban and rural locations and our sample was heterogeneous in terms of race and socioeconomic status. Older adults in this study reported that the mobile phone behavior displayed by their younger family members during face-to-face interactions and family gatherings breaches their expectations regarding appropriate etiquette and manners. Specifically, participants reported they view mobile phone use during face-to-face interactions as disruptive to communication quality, offensive, and a potential signal of inattention, which may curtail intergenerational communication and hinder their sense of copresence. Limitations of our study and directions for future research are discussed.

Catalyst to Connection: When Technical Difficulties Lead to Social Support for Older Adults

Information and communication technology (ICT) use can mitigate the negative impact of various age-related threats, such as isolation and loneliness, by facilitating connection with social ties and access to social support. Although research regarding various uses and benefits of ICTs among older adults has increased, there is limited research regarding the impact of technical difficulties on older adults’ well-being. Our study explores technical difficulties encountered, how older adults cope with ICT failure, and the various forms of social support that may result as a consequence of accessing technical support. We use data from nine semistructured focus groups conducted with older adults in the Midwest region of the United States. Results show that older adults may adapt new strategies for coping with the technical difficulties that arise from regular ICT use. Furthermore, as older adults incorporate ICTs into their daily lives and seek assistance from social ties and experts, they may also be indirectly combating the threat of isolation and loneliness.