Objective This study aimed to investigate the impact of digital disability on the subjective well-being of older adult residents in Zhengzhou, with a specific focus on the moderating role of cultural deprivation in this relationship. Methods An empirical research design was employed. Data were collected from a sample of older adult residents, and statistical analyses were conducted to examine the proposed relationships and moderation effect. Results Digital disability (reverse-scored, with higher scores indicating greater competence) was significantly positively correlated with subjective well-being. Cultural deprivation significantly moderated this relationship. Simple slope analysis revealed that in contexts of higher cultural deprivation, digital disability exerted a more pronounced positive effect on well-being. Conversely, when deprivation levels were lower, this beneficial impact diminished significantly. Conclusion Drawing on the law of diminishing marginal utility, this study elucidates the differentiated impact mechanisms of digital technology on older adults’ well-being. It underscores the importance of developing differentiated digital policies within a cultural welfare framework, thereby providing theoretical and practical insights for enhancing digital inclusion and well-being among the older population.
Chen et al. (Thu,) studied this question.