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Self-reported Changes in Use of and Attitudes Toward ICT in Three Generations in Sweden During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Offerman, Jens LU ; Schmidt, Steven LU orcid ; Iwarsson, Susanne LU and Fristedt, Sofi LU (2024) In Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine 10. p.1-9
Abstract
COVID-19 has affected the daily activities of people worldwide. Recommendations introduced to reduce the spread of the virus led to increased use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to meet everyday needs. Such rapid digitalization had not been seen previously and not been possible to study before. Hence, this study aimed to identify and describe self-reported changes in usage of and attitudes toward ICT among three generations in Sweden during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it aimed to identify whether and how belonging to a specific generation was related to these changes. A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2020 with a final sample of N = 3,000, stratified into three... (More)
COVID-19 has affected the daily activities of people worldwide. Recommendations introduced to reduce the spread of the virus led to increased use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to meet everyday needs. Such rapid digitalization had not been seen previously and not been possible to study before. Hence, this study aimed to identify and describe self-reported changes in usage of and attitudes toward ICT among three generations in Sweden during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it aimed to identify whether and how belonging to a specific generation was related to these changes. A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2020 with a final sample of N = 3,000, stratified into three generations (30–39, 50–59, and 70–79-year-old persons). A majority reported using digital technology more often than before the pandemic. Compared to the youngest generation, the oldest and middle-aged generations reported that they used digital technology more often than before the pandemic. Our results show which technologies were considered essential for different generations during the early phase of the pandemic. This information can be used to guide policy makers based on knowledge concerning the needs and demands for digital technologies in everyday life among people of different ages.
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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
GenerationTech, Gerontechnology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), COVID-19
in
Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
volume
10
pages
1 - 9
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • scopus:85182987114
ISSN
2333-7214
DOI
10.1177/23337214241228109
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b8ae9261-dd26-422e-9672-e0009e47f98a
date added to LUP
2024-02-17 15:19:55
date last changed
2024-02-19 08:19:13
@article{b8ae9261-dd26-422e-9672-e0009e47f98a,
  abstract     = {{COVID-19 has affected the daily activities of people worldwide. Recommendations introduced to reduce the spread of the virus led to increased use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to meet everyday needs. Such rapid digitalization had not been seen previously and not been possible to study before. Hence, this study aimed to identify and describe self-reported changes in usage of and attitudes toward ICT among three generations in Sweden during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it aimed to identify whether and how belonging to a specific generation was related to these changes. A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2020 with a final sample of N = 3,000, stratified into three generations (30–39, 50–59, and 70–79-year-old persons). A majority reported using digital technology more often than before the pandemic. Compared to the youngest generation, the oldest and middle-aged generations reported that they used digital technology more often than before the pandemic. Our results show which technologies were considered essential for different generations during the early phase of the pandemic. This information can be used to guide policy makers based on knowledge concerning the needs and demands for digital technologies in everyday life among people of different ages.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Offerman, Jens and Schmidt, Steven and Iwarsson, Susanne and Fristedt, Sofi}},
  issn         = {{2333-7214}},
  keywords     = {{GenerationTech; Gerontechnology; Information and Communication Technology (ICT); COVID-19}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  pages        = {{1--9}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine}},
  title        = {{Self-reported Changes in Use of and Attitudes Toward ICT in Three Generations in Sweden During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23337214241228109}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/23337214241228109}},
  volume       = {{10}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}