Understanding ICT Use and Loneliness Among Low-Income Older Asian Americans: Building on the Technology Acceptance Model

Information communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly vital for older adults, helping manage health, finances, services, and social connections. However, older Asian Americans exhibit disparities in technology use compared to non-Hispanic Whites. During the COVID pandemic, those without digital access faced additional health disparities. Factors such as ethnicity, limited English proficiency (LEP), self-rated health, and subjective cognitive decline have been shown to influence ICT use among older adults. Additionally, ICT use is associated with reduced loneliness among older adults. However, these relationships have not been investigated in the context of older Asian Americans, despite their heightened relevance given that older Asian Americans disproportionately report LEP, poor health, and limited social and emotional support.The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), focusing on perceived usefulness (PU) and ease of use (PEOU), is a key framework for studying technology adoption. While the TAM has been applied to various older adult demographic groups, it has not been applied to older Asian Americans. Integrating demographic and health factors into the TAM may improve predictions of ICT use and deepen understanding of the complex relationship between technology acceptance and loneliness among older Asian Americans. This dissertation adapts the TAM, with the aim of increasing understanding of the factors that influence ICT acceptance and use among low-income, Asian American older adults. Additionally, we examine the relationship between technology acceptance and loneliness. In all three chapters, we conducted secondary cross-sectional analyses of surveys collected from primarily Asian American residents living in affordable senior housing communities that participated in the Lighthouse Project for Older Adults. In Chapter 1, we examined the relationships of demographic factors, PU, PEOU, smartphone use (including experience and frequency), and broader ICT us