Older adults’ self-efficacy in computer use and the factors that impact their self-efficacy: a path analysis

The current study examined the older adults’ self-efficacy in computer use and explored the factors that impacted and mediated their self-efficacy. Older adults (N = 339) were recruited from a western mid-size city in the U.S. and participated in a survey. Results of the path analysis revealed that computer experience and financial health factors were predictors that significantly impacted the outcome, i.e., the older adults’ self-efficacy in computer use. Meanwhile, this predicting-outcome relationship was mediated by the mediators like perception of computer role, overall life satisfaction, and emotional well-being. The study is significant in that it contributes to the research and practicing community the understanding of the relationship between older adults’ self-efficacy in computer use and the factors that predict and mediate older adults’ self-efficacy in computer use.