Characterizing different patterns of digital competence and their associations with loneliness and social isolation among older adults: findings from South Korea

Abstract

Objectives

With the advent of worldwide internet networks in the digital age, digital competence can play an important role in decreasing loneliness and social isolation in older adults. This study characterized different patterns of digital competence among older adults and examined their associations with loneliness and social isolation

Method

The sample included 315 older Korean adults (M = 68.79, range = 65–84) who completed an online survey.

Results

Latent profile analysis identified four different profiles of digital competence, including 1) low activity (28%) who did not choose digital participation despite advanced technical skills, 2) unskilled (13%) who had limited technical skills, 3) passive participation (25%) who was motivated for digital interactions even with insufficient technical skills, and 4) active participation (34%) who were involved in digital activities with the necessary skills. Additionally, the unskilled profile had relatively higher levels of loneliness than did the active participation profile. The passive participation and low activity profiles showed the highest level of social isolation, followed by the unskilled, and active participation profiles.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that understanding different profiles of digital competence and facilitating active digital participation related to specific profiles can be an effective strategy to reduce older adults’ social isolation and loneliness.

Keywords:

• Digital competence
• loneliness
• social isolation
• latent profile analysis
• older adults

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2020S1A5A2A03044672). This work was supported by Yonsei ‘Eokkaedongmu Project’through 4th BK21 Graduate School Innovation Support Project by the Ministry of Education under Grant (2021-22-0156).