Digital Inequality and Internet Self‐Efficacy in Adults With Intellectual Disability: Motivational, Demographic and Contextual Predictors of Online Participation

Background Adults with intellectual disability face multiple barriers to digital participation, yet limited research has examined how motivational and demographic factors interact to influence internet self‐efficacy. Method Structured interviews were conducted with 96 adults with mild or moderate intellectual disability and 49 adults without intellectual disability across urban and regional locations in Australia. Internet self‐efficacy, attitudes and behavioural beliefs were assessed using adapted measures informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Results Participants with intellectual disability had significantly lower internet self‐efficacy than their peers, particularly those who were older, lived in regional areas or lacked professional support. Motivational variables predicted a small proportion of self‐efficacy variance for participants with intellectual disability and a larger proportion for the comparison group. Conclusions Findings suggest digital inequality among people with intellectual disability is shaped by contextual and motivational factors. Support programmes informed by behavioural theory may help increase digital confidence and online engagement.