Internet Use Behavior of the Elderly: Family support, psychological needs, and optimistic personality perspective

Abstract

∗Family support and optimistic personality are important for the psychological needs satisfaction and the internet use behavior of the elderly. The present study examined the relative contribution of these two sources of support to psychological needs satisfaction and internet use behavior among Chinese elderly adults living in Changde City. Two hundred and one Chinese elderly adults participated in the study. Findings suggest that there were statistically significant differences in gender and education level of Internet use among the elderly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Perceived family emotional support had a significant positive impact on the Internet use of the elderly. The communication needs and self-realization needs of the elderly were significantly correlated with their Internet use behavior (P < 0.01), and the needs for identity were related to their use of network applications (P < 0.01). Optimistic personality plays a moderating role between perceived family support and psychological needs satisfaction of the elderly. The psychological needs of the elderly play a partial mediating role between perceived family emotional support and Internet use behavior.