Examining ICT Use and Loneliness in the Context of the Technology Acceptance Model Among Low-Income, Asian Americans: A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis (Preprint)

Abstract

Loneliness is a significant issue among older Asian Americans, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, lower income, limited education, and immigrant status heighten loneliness risk. Information communication technologies (ICTs) have been associated with decreased loneliness among older adults. However, older Asian Americans are less likely to use ICTs, particularly if they are immigrants, have limited English proficiency, or are low-income. Among older adults, the association between loneliness and ICT use has not been examined in the context of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

This study aimed to extend a simplified TAM to explore associations between perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), ICT use and loneliness among low income, older Asian Americans.

Cross-sectional survey data was gathered from predominately older Asian Americans in affordable senior housing (N=401). Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Horn’s parallel analysis, we examined twelve survey items to identify factors accounting for variance in ICT use. We deployed structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore relationships among the latent factors and loneliness, adjusting for demographic and cognitive factors.

EFA and Horn’s parallel analysis revealed three factors that accounted for 56.48% total variance. PEOU combined items from validated subscales of tech anxiety and comfort, accounting for 28.44% variance. ICT use combined years’ tech experience, computer use frequency, tablet use frequency, and smartphone use frequency and accounted for 15.59% variance. PU combined two items assessing the usefulness of technology for social connection and learning and accounted for 12.44% variance. The three-factor SEM revealed reasonable fit indexes and when adjusting for control variables, model fit improved (χ2133 =345.132, p <.001, CMIN/DF = 2595, CFI =.926, TLI =.884). PEOU was positively associated with PU (β =.152, P =.011); PEOU and PU were positive predictors of ICT use (PEOU: β =.260, P <.001; PU: β =.179, P =.007); and ICT use was negatively associated with loneliness (β =-.279, P <.001). Education was positively associated with PU (β =.192, P =.003). English proficiency and education positively predicted ICT use (β =1.66, P =.033; β =.210, P <.001), while age was negatively associated with ICT use (β =-1.36, P =.012). Subjective cognitive decline and Asian ethnicity were each positively associated with loneliness (β =.306, P <.001; β =.248, P <.001), and English proficiency and education were each positively associated with PEOU (r =.249, P <.001; r =.256, P <.001). Subjective cognitive decline, age, and female gender were each significantly, negatively associated with PEOU (r =-.130, P =.016; r =-.175, P =.001; r =-.147, P =.006).

This study underscores the TAM’s relevance among low-income Asian Americans and suggests that targeted interventions enhancing PU or PEOU could increase ICT acceptance and reduce loneliness among this population. Limited English proficiency and subjective cognitive decline should be considered when designing interventions and in future research.