Bridging distances in times of COVID-19: does communication technology acceptance and use combat loss of socio-emotional well-being in older adults?

Objective

​The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries to deploy social distancing measures to curb the spread. However, prolonged social isolation can have adverse mental and physical health effects, especially on the older adults. With communication technology becoming the main medium for maintaining contact with others, older adults in particular might face challenges due to barriers when using communication technology - such as their attitudes towards technology (ATT) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) of technology.

This study aims to:

1. Provide information of how older adults communicate with others and their general well-being during the circuit breaker

2. Find a positive association between older adults’ ATT and PEOU of communication technology and their well-being

3. Determine if the ATT and PEOU of communication technology increases older adults’ perceived social support, and if this in turn, increases their relationship satisfaction and their well-being.

Collaborators

1. NHG

2. SMU